Anxiety as UI proposes fees increment for fresh, returning students

The management of the University of Ibadan has concluded plans to announce new fees payable by new undergraduate and returning students, The Nation has gathered.

The decision by the management generated apprehension among students and parents.

Many students, who pleaded anonymity while speaking to The Nation, lamented the proposed hike is unrealistic, adding that they cannot afford to pay such amount with the prevailing harsh economy situation.

A copy of the fees proposal sighted by The Nation gave a breakdown of the new fees regime ranging from N90,000 and N230,000 depending on the courses of study and level.

According to the proposal, the mandatory charges for fresh undergraduates indicate that the university has not introduced a tuition fee.

Accommodation fees for returning students has been pegged at N45,000 while fresh students are expected to pay N60,000.

However, all fresh students who study courses without the use of laboratories and studios will pay a flat rate of N125,000 while their counterparts who would be required to make use of laboratories or studios will pay N230,000. For courses with studio/digital studio, they are expected to pay N175,00.

For returning students from 200 level to final year classes, those offering courses without lab/studio will pay N38,000. The proposed levy for courses with laboratory practicals is N90,000 while proposed levy for courses with studio/digital studio is pegged at N65,000.

According to the document, the items to be paid for by the students include registration, identity cards, examination, library services, medical services, sports, and among others.

One of the students’ union officials who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the authenticity of the document, noting the management has worked on the proposal to increase fees but there’s no official approval from the Senate.

He said: “This document that was released was leaked, we need the Federal Government to come to our rescue. We know it is not a UI issue alone, we need the FG to intervene. The school’s senate is aware, it is now at the desk of the school’s council too”.

Other tertiary institutions, including University of Lagos (UNILAG); University of Benin (UNIBEN); Edo State; University of Abuja (UNIABUJA); University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) and host of other institutions increased their fees by high percentages.

But the House of Representatives asked the Federal Government to suspend all forms of increment of school fees in Federal Government-owned universities.

Efforts to reach the school for comments on the development proved abortive. (The Nation)

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