The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, has reduced its contentious 300% tuition fee increase by 15% for the students
The hike had sparked outrage, with student unions threatening to protest against the management.
The Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju announced the adjustment in a statement made available to DAILY GIST on Monday night.
He said the University remained committed to addressing the concerns raised by students. The adjustment came after a lengthy meeting with student leaders on Monday
Part of the statement reads: “In a rare show of administrative magnanimity, the authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, have readjusted downward the sundry charges payable by the students of the University.
“This followed the meeting the University management had with the leadership of the Students Union on Monday, 25th September, 2023. The meeting, which lasted for several hours, was called by the University management, after several agitations by the students union for a reduction of the initial charges approved by the University.”
Mr Olarewaju disclosed that the student union leaders were adamant that the charges be reduced by 50%, but the University management made it clear that the new charges were the minimum the University required to run efficiently.
He continued, “the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, graciously announced that the charges initially announced have been reduced as follows: For the students in Humanities, the initial sundry charges of #89, 200 for returning students have been reduced to #76,000 while the new students in the Humanities, the initial fees of #151,200 have been reduced to #131,000.
“For those in the Sciences and Technology, the initial charges of #101,200, for returning students is now #86,000 while the new students in the same Faculties will now pay #141,000 instead of the initial #163,200.
“In the same vein, the returning students in the Pharmacy and College of Health Sciences will now pay N109,000, instead of N128,200. The new students in the same Faculties will now pay #164,000 instead of the initial charges of #190,000. The statement added that the University management has agreed that the payment can be in two equal installments.”
The PRO added that the University’s portal is now open to students for payment.
But reacting, the students union of the institution rejected the reduction in a follow-up statement by the body on Monday night.
The statement reads: “Following the notification of the meeting received from the school management, the leadership of the Union, including the CEC, SRC, and the HEC, met with the school management today, September 25, 2023.
The leadership of the Union strongly stands for a 50% reduction in the announced school charges by the school management. After several agitations from the leadership of the Union.
The Vice Chancellor announced the following charges:
For Arts and Humanities:
– Returning Students: 76,000 (reduced from 89,200)
– Freshmen: 131,000 (reduced from 151,200)
For Sciences:
– Returning Students: 86,000 (reduced from 101,200)
– Freshmen: 141,000 (reduced from 163,200)
For the College of Health Sciences and Pharmacy:
– Returning Students: 109,000 (reduced from 128,200)
– Freshmen: 164,000 (reduced from 190,200)
The leadership of the Union would like to inform all union members about this latest development proposed by the school management. Unfortunately, the meeting ended in a deadlock as our proposal to the management was not achieved.
The Leadership of the Union hereby urges every students not to make any payment for now till will revert back.
