Students protest as UI increases tuition for new students to N412,000

According to the Union of Campus Journalist (UCJ), new students at the University of Ibadan (UI) this month for the new academic year will pay up to N412,000 every session.

Prof. Keye Abiona, Dean of Student Affairs, confirmed this during a call with UCJUI yesterday.

While verifying that the increased fees indicated on the portal for freshers returning for the 2023/24 academic session are correct, he also stated that “it’s only for freshers.” The new fees displayed on the freshers portal vary per faculty within the school.

Some freshers must pay a bundle charge of N372,000, which includes a technology and utility levy of N20,000 each, giving a total of N412,000. However, in some faculties, the total amount they must pay ranges between N278,000 and N203,000.

Last year, fresh admissions at the University of Ibadan were paid between N64,600 and N69,600. This rise represents a 492.5 percent increase, with popular courses such as medicine paying far more than their counterparts.

The University of Ibadan Students’ Union, in a statement signed by President Samson Tobiloba and General Secretary Olaniyi Sodeeq, decried the management’s raise.

“We note with concern that this increment represents about 450% – 750% of the previous bundle fee which ranged from about #20,000 – #30,000. This is coming at a period when several students are finding it hard to cope with the current fees regime, and increased cost of living in the country.”

The union condemns this increment in strong terms, and request that this proposed increment be reverted to the status quo.

“We are equally requesting for a meeting with the university management to resolve this issue. Greatest fresh students, we are by this release requesting you to exercise patience while we work to resolve this,” the statement read in part.