Despite the University of Ibadan management’s directive to vacate school hostels by 2 pm on Saturday, students have refused to leave, protesting the recent hike in school fees for the 2023/2024 academic session.

Management’s defence

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Prof. Peter Olupegba explained that the decision was made to allow students time to complete their registration, following the governing council’s approval of increased school fees.

Olupegba made this known in an exclusive interview with Tribune reporter who reached out to him to know the reason behind the eviction of students from halls of residence.

Background

The UI management earlier on Saturday released an internal memorandum ordering the students to vacate the halls of residence before 2 pm following the ongoing protests, which started on Thursday as a result of the approval of hiked school fees for the 2023/2024 academic session by the governing council.

The DVC, while responding to questions, said, “There is an increase in school fees. The management met with the leadership of the students’ union and they pleaded for time to be able to pay their school fees. So, it was mutually agreed that the school must proceed on break for three weeks for the students to be able to complete their registration.”

When asked if he was aware whether the students were carried along on the agreement process, Prof. Olupegba answered, “The management met with the leadership and the leadership represents the union. As far as the management is concerned, once the leadership of the union has spoken, then that applies to the generality of the students. They are the recognised representatives of the students, voted for by the students themselves. Management will not talk to the students one by one.”

Students react

Some students of the University of Ibadan defied the order of the school management to vacate the school premises by 2 pm on Saturday.

The students who have gathered since Saturday morning formed a congress at the Students’ Union Building to deliberate the way forward following the memo sent by the management.

After the congress, the students made the following resolutions, which were signed by a students’ activism body codenamed ‘Students Against Tuition Fee Hike’.

The release reads: “RESOLUTIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN STUDENTS’ UNION CONGRESS OF SATURDAY, THE 31ST OF AUGUST, 2024”

“Following the release of the University of Ibadan management internal memorandum directing students to vacate the school premises on or before 2 pm today, a Congress was held, wherein students came to the following resolutions:”

“1. That students will not vacate the University in the defense of our right to education. Students are encouraged to come to the Students’ Union Building in the case of intimidation in their halls of residence.”

“2. That the mainstream media be further maximized to give students’ plight a wide coverage.”

“3. That pro-education groups, as well as the National Association of Nigerian Students, be carried along in the ongoing struggle.”

“4. That legal intervention be involved as of when due.”

“5. That religious and non-religious organization are reached out to play participatory roles in the ongoing struggle.”

“6. That students should create awareness across various social media platforms.”

“Notice – We will be discussing further at 4 pm today in the Students’ Union Building foyer. Nothing should discourage you, be there.”

At the time of this report, students have been sent away from the hostels, and some of them have moved to the Students Union Building to take refuge.

Some students who spoke to TRIBUNE ONLINE decried the order of the school management, citing the risks and the denial of their rights by the management.

Babatunde Adamson, a 400-level student said, “It is an oppressive decision from the university management. They forced us out of the hostels. It is outrageous for them to ask us to leave our halls by sending a message to us by 8 am to leave the halls by 2 pm.

“Many of us come from many far places. Where will those people have money to go back home before 2 pm and where do you expect them to stay? They are sending us to the jaws of kidnapping and the latest misfortune that can happen when you travel long distances especially when it is on land. They are oppressing us and they are not different from the Nigerian government oppressing Nigerians.”

On his part, Lawal Abdul-Qayyum asserted, “What the management is trying to do is to merge the two resolutions as one. If we decide to go home, it will lead to nothing but division. For me, I have no place to go. We will keep on hanging around, staying here (Students Union Building) until our demands are met.”

Another student, Nice Linus (300-level), opined; “It is highly insensitive to send out an internal memorandum directing students to vacate the school premises in the morning and tell them to vacate before 2 pm. We all know that the University of Ibadan took this decision just to undermine the #FEESMUSTFALL struggle ongoing and we the students have said that this particular action will not stop us. We won’t be discouraged.

“I join my voice with that of other students that we will not be discouraged by this recent move by the management to undermine the #FEESMUSTFALL struggle. We are going to stay put on campus. What I will do which is what all students are doing is stay on campus and continue our agitation on #FEESMUSTFALL.”

Current situation

Students have gathered at the Students’ Union Building, defying the management’s order. Hotel entrances have been locked, and some students remain on campus.

Attempts to contact Union President Aweda Bolaji have been unsuccessful. (Sunday Tribune)

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