OAU Slashes Fees, Permits Instalmental Payments

After several agitations by students union for a reduction of the initial charges approved by Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, the University’s management has made a downward readjustment of sundry charges payable by students of the institution.

A statement by the OUA Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, described the decision as “a rare show of administrative magnanimity,” saying management had agreed that payment could be in two equal installments.

Although the Students Union leaders were adamant that the charges be reduced by 50%, the University management made it clear that the new charges were the minimum the University requires to run efficiently.

LEADERSHIP recalls that in July, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) management revealed an increase in tuition fees for both incoming and existing undergraduate students, attributing the decision to prevailing economic realities.

However, following a meeting with representatives of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), UNILAG management announced a reduction in its fees.

Meanwhile, President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, warned that about 50% of university students may drop out of school within the next two years, if the government fails to stop continuous fee hikes.

Osodeke made the warning on Sunday night while speaking on the Nigerian education sector on Channels TV, monitored by our correspondent.

According to him, heavy fees being imposed on students across the nation would result in massive dropout of students, due to their inability to cope with the payments.

“If nothing is done about these heavy fees being introduced by schools all over the country, in the next two or three years, more than 40 to 50 per cent of these children who are in school today will drop out,” Osodeke stated.