Old School Fees No Longer Enough To Run 24-Hour Diesel, Pay Staff Salaries – Ogun University, TASUED Justifies Hike
The students protested against the new tuition fees, which saw a significant rise for both new and returning students. For example, tuition for new students in education courses increased from N76,500 to N230,000, and for returning students, it rose from N76,500 to N180,000. Similar increases were implemented for science courses.
The management of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) in Ogun State, Nigeria, has defended the recent tuition fee hike for the 2023/2024 academic session. This move follows protests by TASUED students against the increased fees.
The students protested against the new tuition fees, which saw a significant rise for both new and returning students. For example, tuition for new students in education courses increased from N76,500 to N230,000, and for returning students, it rose from N76,500 to N180,000. Similar increases were implemented for science courses.
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TASUED's Registrar, Dapo Oke, explained that the tuition fee increment was a response to the economic challenges facing the institution. He emphasized that the increase in tuition was a general trend across the nation's higher education institutions.
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Oke argued that TASUED couldn't afford to run subpar academic programs compared to other universities, and the fee hike was necessary to address issues like purchasing laboratory equipment, paying staff salaries, and ensuring continuous access to electricity.
He praised the students for their peaceful protest and stated that their concerns had been received. Oke urged the students to channel their complaints through the appropriate channels and promised further consultations. He defended the tuition fee hike as an economic necessity, stating that the fees charged were the "barest minimum" considering market forces.
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The protests did not disrupt ongoing examinations at the university. The tuition fee increase highlights the broader issue of funding challenges in Nigerian higher education institutions.