UI Students Protest 750% Tuition Fee Hike: Calls for Immediate Reversal
University of Ibadan students are protesting against a proposed 750% tuition fee increase for incoming students.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
Students at the prestigious University of Ibadan are up in arms against a proposed 750% tuition fee increase for incoming students. In a recent press release by the Student’s Union, President Samuel Tobiloba and General Secretary Olaniyi Dolapo voiced strong opposition to the sudden and drastic fee hike.
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The controversial move was discovered when the university’s online portal reflected fees ranging from N133,500 to N372,500, not including utility and technology levies of N20,000 each. This new fee structure is a staggering 450%-750% increase from the previous bundle fee, which ranged between N20,000 and N30,000.
The Student’s Union described the fee hike as "shocking" and questioned the timing, especially when many students are already grappling with the rising cost of living in the country. The union condemned the increase, demanding an immediate reversal to the previous fee structure.
“We note with concern that this increment represents about 450%-750% of the previous bundle fee which ranged from about N20,000 – N30,000. This is coming at a period when several students are finding it hard to cope with the current fees regime, and increased costs of living in the country,” the statement read.
The Student’s Union has requested an urgent meeting with the university management to address the fee increment. They are also calling on students, particularly incoming freshmen, to remain patient as the union works tirelessly to resolve the issue.
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“We are equally requesting a meeting with the university management towards resolving this issue. We urge students to exercise patience while the union works to resolve the increment with the management,” the statement added.
The proposed fee hike has sparked a wave of solidarity among students and alumni, who have taken to social media platforms to express their outrage and support for the protest. #NoTo750%FeeHike and #SaveUI have become trending hashtags, with thousands of users sharing their stories and demanding justice for the students.
As the outcry against the fee hike gains momentum, all eyes are now on the University of Ibadan’s management to see how they respond to the students’ demands. Will they heed the call for transparency, fairness, and affordability, or will they stand firm on their decision?
Only time will tell. But one thing is certain – the students of the University of Ibadan are not backing down, and their fight for affordable education has struck a chord with people across the nation.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
