The Students’ Union body of the Obafemi Awolowo University(OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Friday has written to commercial banks to stop accepting payment of fees by students of the university until the authorities reverse the arbitrary school fees increment.
This was contained in a statement jointly signed by Chairman and Secretary General, Abbas Akinremi Ojo and Akinboni Opeyemi, respectively, a copy of which was made available to DAILY GIST.
According to the statement, the affected banks are; Access Bank, Diamond Bank, Ecobank Plc, FCMB, First Bank, Fidelity Bank, GTBank, Polaris Bank, Linion Bank, Wema Bank and Zenith Bank.”
The students’ body warned that failure to comply would instantly lead to confrontation between the leadership of the students and the bank.
The statement was titled: “Request To Temporarily Halt Student Payment Collection As A Result Of Hike In Fees Payable In Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife,” dated September 15, 2023.
It reads: “I hope this letter finds you well. We are writing to bring to your notice the recent hike in fees payable at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife which has sparked negative reactions from the students’ community.
“It is important we state that the increment was not done in good faith and also contradicts the directive of the House of Representatives, the Presidency and the Federal Ministry of Education which directed that all Federal Universities must halt the planned increment of fees payable across board.
“Unfortunately, in defiance to this directive from the aforementioned authorities, the University management decided to astronomically increase the fees payable without even considering the economic reality on ground.”
It added, “As a result of the defiant nature of the University management, the generality of Great Ife students through a students’ congress (attached is a copy of the resolution) have resolved that financial institutions be directed not to accept payment of fees by students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife until we write otherwise.
“We understand that banks play a vital role in facilitating payment transactions for educational institutions. And, given the circumstances on ground, we look forward to cooperation from your bank by refraining from processing any payment relating to students of Obafemi Awolowo University. Ile-Ife until the University management reverses the increment.”
The Students’ Union explained that by halting the payment of fees through “your financial Institution, the University management will see reason(s) to engage the students body in the best of manner and immediately reverse the fees.”
They expressed optimism that the affected banks would cooperate with the directive. “We look forward to utmost cooperation from your bank as failure to comply with this shall result to confrontation with your financial institution from the students’ body.
“We look forward to your bank taking action with immediate effect.”
