320% Fee Hike: 'Mismanaged' OAU Is Too Rich To Hike Fees

onnaedo

May 27, 2014 6:03 PM

OAU authorities have faced stiff opposition from the school's students since it increased fees by 320% ...

Those were the words of the President of Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU), Student Union, Ibikunle Isaac, during a Channels TV chat.

OAU students staged series of protests following the astronomical fees hike and their leader, believes that there was no justification for a fee hike in (OAU) given that the resources at the institution's disposal.

He said the students are protesting the increment in fees for the returning students and post-graduates.

"[The increment is] about 320% from about 17,000 naira to 100,000 naira for fresh students apart from N20,000 acceptance and some other charges," Ibikunle said.

He also revealed that there are rumours of an increase of returning students' fees already in the pipeline.

"There is increment [for returning students] but they have not announced that."

Alleging mismanagement, Ibikunle said a look into the institution’s books is the only way to justify the need for more funds.

"For now, [there should be] no increment. If there is going to be increment, let student representatives come on board… Let's see the books of the management itself.

The union leader said the students are motivated to protest the hike because the once-affordable fees are what gave them an opportunity for higher education.

"Ife is the last hope for the masses. Just like some of us got admission into that university just because of that fee. That is why we still have the opportunity to come into university education.

Ibikunle also lamented what he called the commercialisation of education.

"In this country now, what we are having is some people commercialising education and we have this fund in OAU. There is no justification for it," he said.

According to him, the increase in fees at OAU began long ago.

"Three years ago our acceptance fee was increased from N2000 to 20,000 naira."

He also alleged that the monies generated from the increase in charges have not led to better welfare for the students.

“Billions of Naira that we have every year, how do we spend it. Our light is still epileptic, our water is still bad. Nothing to show for it and that is running into billion.”

Watch the entire interview in the video below.

Do you agree with Ibikunle that the issue of mismanagement of funds should be addressed rather than resorting to fee increment?

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