Reports have emerged that three individuals, including an activist, were arrested by security operatives at the University of Ibadan while protesting against an increase in school fees.
The arrested students were identified as Aduwo Ayodele and Nice Linus, while the activist was identified as Femi Adeyeye.
The arrests took place on Monday morning and were a result of agitations against the recent tuition fee hike in the school. At the time of filing this report, the students and activist were being detained at the school's security post.
It is important to note that the UI Students' Union Executive Council had previously condemned the hike in tuition by 750 per cent for new students. The council demanded that the increment be immediately reverted to the status quo and requested a meeting with the university management towards resolving this issue. In April, the increment was reflected on the students' portal, and the students' union leadership made its position known. The new fees range from N133,500 to N372,500, depending on the courses, and represent about 450% to 750% of the previous bundle fee which ranged from about N20,000 to N30,000.
The students' body has advised fresh students to exercise patience and not rush to pay the new fee. They condemned the increment in strong terms and requested that it be reverted to the status quo. In addition, the Students' Representative Council (UI'SRC) led by Rt. Hon. Omotunde Olamide on April 11, 2024, called for an emergency sitting to determine the union's stance regarding the inflated fee for incoming students.
It is essential that the school management takes the students' concerns into consideration and addresses this issue as soon as possible. The increase in tuition fees has caused significant unrest among the student community, and it is crucial that the school takes a proactive approach towards resolving this matter.
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