Students Express disapproval by Protesting against Tuition Fee Hike at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic

Some students at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic in Abeokuta, Ogun State, took to the campus gate early Monday morning to protest against a range of issues, including the increase in acceptance fees for newly admitted students.

With placards bearing slogans such as #No To Increment of Tuition Fee, #Rector Must Go, and #Release our Result ASAP, among others, the students voiced their concerns loudly. The protest drew a notable police presence, emphasizing the seriousness of the matter. One of the key issues raised by the students was the delay in the release of academic results, which has been a persistent problem. The shortage of staff and the sudden hike in the acceptance fee for newly admitted students from N35,000 to N50,500 were additional sources of contention.

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Babatunde Adelola, the Students Union President of the institution, revealed that the school's management claimed it was not receiving adequate subsidies from the state government, leading to an increase in acceptance fees. He lamented that waiting for academic results for up to a year has adversely affected students' academic performance. Adelola highlighted the students' grievances, saying, "We have many reasons to protest. Recently, the school said they are not getting funding from the state government and they need to generate funds internally, which was why they increased the acceptance fee from N35,000 to N50,500."

He continued, "Aside from the hike in fee, the delay in the release of our result is affecting students. For instance, those who graduated last session are yet to be mobilized for service. I am in HND 2 second semester, and I am yet to see the results of the exams I did in HND 1 second semester. This is affecting students because they do not know their academic standing and how well to prepare for the next exams."

Adelola explained that all attempts to engage in dialogue with the polytechnic's Rector, Adeoye Odedeji, had been unsuccessful due to his unavailability. He demanded an immediate reversal of the fee increase and the prompt release of outstanding results. Another student, Olamide Ojelade, expressed concern that if the acceptance fee increase is tolerated, it could pave the way for an increase in school fees as well.

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"The acceptance fee used to be N25,500 before it was increased to N35,000, and now it has been increased to N50,500. Before they increase school fees again, that is why we are protesting," Ojelade stated. In response to the protest, the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Yemi Ajibola, argued that the students had not officially communicated their grievances to the school, making it challenging for the management to address the issues effectively.

Ajibola said, "The management is not aware of their grievances because they did not inform us of any reason why they are protesting. The management needs to be informed of what their grievances are for the management to be able to sit and deliberate on it. If they channel their grievances appropriately, it will be attended to." The students' protest reflects their determination to ensure their voices are heard and their concerns addressed regarding the recent changes and challenges facing them at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic.