Students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, took to the streets again on Wednesday to protest the increase in school fees.
Last Wednesday, students had organized a similar protest before being dispersed by police who fired tear gas. During last week’s protest, two students were arrested but eventually released.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, protesters insisted that the fare increase must be reversed.
The university management had in July announced an increase in fees from N26,000 and about N76,000 to between N120,750 and N240,250, depending on the courses of study and levels.
Apart from UNILAG, many other Nigerian public universities have increased school fees, sparking protests on some campuses.
Some of these universities include the University of Maiduguri, University of Benin, Ahmadu Bello University, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University and the University of Abuja.
Like UNILAG like UNIJOS
On Tuesday, students from the Joseph University (UNIJOS), Plateau State, also came out at the entrance of their school singing songs of solidarity, even as they carried banners to protest the increase in fees by the management of the institution.
Although the government maintains that Nigerian public universities remain free, the recent astronomical increase in various fees paid by students in most public universities has sparked outrage and protests.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Folasade Ogunsola, a professor, had told Newslodge in an earlier interview that the old fee regime is no longer sustainable as the university continues to incur increasing expenses leading to revenue shortfalls of about one billion naira a year.
“No student will drop out” – UNILAG VC
But Ms Ogunsola recently assured that no student at the university would abandon their studies as a result of the fee increase.
He said the university would adopt measures such as scholarship opportunities, work-study programs and installment payment options, among others, to ensure that students do not leave the institution.
“The fee payment system has been reconfigured to allow the option of payment in installments: three times before the close of the academic year,” the university said.
“The student work-study program has been revitalized to accommodate increased compensation. Interested students can access the program through the dean’s office of the division of student affairs.
“Students have the opportunity to access various scholarship opportunities, including the UNILAG Scholars Award for exceptionally bright students, through the office of the Dean, Division of Student Affairs.”
Dialogue with management
For further dialogue on the matter, students of the university, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and other stakeholders will meet the chancellor of the university on Thursday.
According to NANS National Public Relations Officer Giwa Temitope, the outcome of the meeting will determine the students’ next action.
Qosim Suleiman is a reporter for Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which pairs local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the world.