Students affiliated with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ogun State chapter, are vehemently opposing the recent surge in school fees across tertiary institutions in the state. They perceive this fee hike as a deliberate attempt to force numerous students out of school, causing undue hardships for both students and their parents.
Expressing their discontent, the students are urging the state government to promptly reverse what they deem “excessive and burdensome school fees” within four days. In a bold move, they have issued a warning of a mass protest, vowing to occupy the Governor’s Office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, until their demands are adequately addressed.
This rejection of the fee hike echoes protests by students at Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode, who vehemently opposed a more than 100% increase in their school fees, resulting in the closure of the institution.
NANS chairman Francis Adeyanju, addressing the media in Abeokuta, criticized the “irregular” increment in school fees across all state-owned tertiary institutions. Adeyanju has threatened to organize mass demonstrations, potentially leading to the shutdown of the state if the government does not reverse the fee hike within the specified timeframe.
Adeyanju, accompanied by Kehinde Mathew, the National President of the National Association of the State Students, condemned the fee increase as an attempt to hinder vulnerable and indigent students in the state from accessing affordable and quality education.
Highlighting the deteriorating condition of campuses, insufficient staff, and outstanding salaries, Adeyanju stressed that the recent fee hikes are unjust and unacceptable. He cited examples of increased fees at institutions such as Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), and Ogun State Polytechnic of Health and Allied Sciences.
The student leaders have issued a four-day ultimatum to the Ogun State Government, demanding a reversal of all fee increments. If their demands are not met within the stipulated time, they have pledged to mobilize students for mass demonstrations to ensure their concerns are addressed comprehensively.
