UI Security Detains Activist and Students Amidst Tuition Fee Hike Protests

In response to heightened demonstrations against a recent surge in tuition fees, the University of Ibadan's security team has apprehended three individuals, including an activist and two students. The detained students, Aduwo Ayodele and Nice Linus, alongside activist Femi Adeyeye, were taken into custody on Monday morning amid ongoing protests over the increased cost of education at the institution.

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Efforts to elicit comments from university authorities regarding the situation have thus far proved fruitless. The development follows the condemnation by the University of Ibadan Students’ Union Executive Council, led by Samuel Samson Tobiloba, of the 750% tuition fee hike for new students in April. The council vehemently demanded an immediate reversal of the hike and sought dialogue with university officials to address the issue.

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Reports indicate that the new fees range from N133,500 to N372,500, a stark contrast to the previous fee structure, which ranged from N20,000 to N30,000. In response, the students’ union has advised incoming students against hastily paying the inflated fees and urged the university management to revert to the previous fee structure.

Furthermore, the Students’ Representative Council, under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Omotunde Olamide, convened an emergency session on April 11, 2024, to deliberate on the union’s position regarding the exorbitant fees for incoming students. The detention of the activists and students underscores the mounting tensions between the university administration and the student body over the contentious issue of tuition fees.

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