UNILAG bows to pressure, reduces fees [See details]

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) management has acquiesced to the demands of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) following an extended and intensive meeting with top leadership representatives. The meeting, which lasted for hours, saw the active participation of NANS’ National President, Comrade Usman Umar Barambu, alongside other NANS officials and the university’s delegation led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Folasade Ogunsola.

A joint statement released by UNILAG’s Head of Communication Unit, Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, on Friday, revealed a significant reduction in obligatory fees, a central concern of the students. The agreed adjustments are poised to alleviate the financial burden on students and foster a more conducive academic environment.

The revisions include a reduction in Utility Charges for all student categories, lowering the Convocation Fee for final year students, and a substantial reduction in hostel fees across various campuses. Additionally, obligatory fees for both new and returning undergraduate students have been reviewed favorably.

At the onset of the meeting, Comrade Barambu emphasized three critical demands made by UNILAG students: the rollback of obligatory fees, reduction of hostel fees, and the reinstatement of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) in UNILAG. He underscored the importance of reinstating the SUG to enhance communication between students and the university administration.

In response, Professor Ogunsola shed light on the university’s financial challenges, elucidating the need to balance economic realities while ensuring the delivery of quality education. She affirmed the university’s commitment to implementing measures aimed at alleviating the impact of the fee review, such as the Instalment Payment Option, Revitalisation of Work-Study Programme, and scholarship opportunities for deserving students.

In a statement by the Head, Communication Unit of UNILAG, Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, on Friday morning, the meeting was attended by the National President of NANS, Comrade Usman Umar Barambu accompanied by other NANS officers and the university team led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola.

“The meeting agreed that Utility Charges for all categories of students be reduced to N15,000:00 from N20,000:00. Obligatory fees for new undergraduate students was reviewed from N126,325:00 to N116,325:00 for courses without Lab/Studio and N176,325:00 to N166,325:00 for courses with Lab/Studio.

“The obligatory fees for returning undergraduate students was reviewed from N100,750:00 to N80,750:00 for courses without Lab/Studio; N140,250:00 to N120,250:00 for courses with Lab/Studio; and from N190,250:00 to N170, 250:00 for Medical / Pharmacy students and students in Health Professions.

“The Convocation Fee to be paid by all final year students was reduced to N27,000:00 from N 30,000:00. Hostels fees were reviewed as follows: For undergraduate hostels in Akoka and Yaba campuses, the fees was reduced to N43, 000:00 from N90,000:00. For hostels in Idi-Araba campus, the fees was reduced to N65,000:00 from N120,000:00. The fees for Sodeinde Hall was reduced to N135,000:00 from N250,000:00.”

The Vice-Chancellor also assured that no UNILAG student would be forced to drop out due to financial constraints, reiterating the university’s dedication to providing quality education for all.

This development follows a week of protests by UNILAG students against the initially proposed fee structure, which they deemed overly burdensome. The successful outcome of the meeting signifies a significant victory for the students and a step towards a more inclusive and communicative academic environment at UNILAG. Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving story.