UI Students Seek Public Support Amidst Dramatic School Fee Increase
Undergraduates at the University of Ibadan (UI) are urgently seeking public help to cover newly increased school fees, which have surged by over 500%. The university suspended academic activities on August 31 to allow students time to pay the new fees and complete registrations. With tuition rising from ₦30,000 and ₦60,000 to ₦230,000 and ₦412,000, students are facing significant financial strain.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
Undergraduates at the University of Ibadan (UI) have launched an urgent appeal for public assistance due to a significant hike in school fees. The university, which recently increased its tuition fees by over 500%, has seen students scrambling to raise funds amidst widespread financial distress.
On August 31, the university's management suspended academic activities and closed the campus in response to student protests against the fee increase. This three-week break was intended to give students time to pay the new fees and complete their online registrations, with first semester exams now postponed to September 23.
The fee increase has resulted in tuition rising from ₦30,000 and ₦60,000 to ₦230,000 and ₦412,000 respectively. In response, students have initiated extensive crowdfunding campaigns to help cover these costs. The National Association of Muslim Students (UI Chapter) has spearheaded an online emergency appeal, emphasizing the severe impact of the fee surge on students' ability to continue their education.
The statement from the association read: “The drastic surge in school fees, compounded by economic uncertainty, has plunged our members into financial distress, threatening their academic pursuits. Many talented Namlasites are now on the brink of discontinuing their studies due to inability to afford tuition. In this critical hour, we turn to you for support. Your contribution will directly benefit deserving students ensuring their educational journey continues uninterrupted.”
In addition to the Muslim Students' appeal, the Faculty of Environmental Design and Management and the Society of Petroleum Engineers, University of Ibadan (SPEUI) have also launched similar fundraising campaigns. They are urging the public to contribute to help students meet their tuition fees before the deadline of September 20.
Despite the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) disbursing ₦201 million last month to cover the fees of 1,370 students, many applicants from UI are still awaiting approval. The UI Student Body has reached out to NELFUND for expedited assistance, but the organization has been unresponsive due to a high volume of applications.
The UI student body is now working to raise emergency funds for at least 500 students who risk missing the academic session due to the inability to pay the increased fees. NELFUND is reportedly negotiating with UI's management to allow students to defer their payments until loan approvals are completed.
As the deadline approaches, the university community remains hopeful that these urgent appeals will garner enough support to ensure that students can continue their education without interruption.
