Founded in 1948, the University of Ibadan (UI) has long been a beacon of affordable, quality education in Nigeria. However, the recent tuition hike has put many students in a tough spot, even with the Federal Government’s student loan scheme.
Michael, a 100-level Physics student, described his experience. He said: “The issue of the school fee hike is something I can’t feel good about. This is because it is not what we expected. We gained admission into the University of Ibadan expecting that tuition in a federal school would be easy. Being one of the best universities ever, we were all excited that we had a great opportunity. This was until we were told that there was an increment in school fees. It was like a trap for us; we had no choice because it was too late to apply for any other admission. So, we all felt bad. I feel bad psychologically; I always have that feeling that at any point in time, I could drop out of school.”
Michael added that “I applied for the student loan. I applied very early and I was expecting that I will get paid soon. But the money didn’t come that quickly. I was verified, but not approved. So, there was always that doubt at the back of my mind. What if I don’t get paid the student loan? It should be a relief to get the loan, but at the moment there is no relief for me. I am ready for the examination, but then the issue of running about to pay my school fees has obviously affected me and my education. Hopefully I should be able to get the school fees. I am contacting people. Hopefully, I should be able to pay before second semester exams.”
On Wednesday, July 17, UI students protested the tuition fee increase. However, an internal memo dated August 30, 2024, by the institution’s Registrar, Ganiyu Saliu, informed students that following a discussion between university management and the leadership of the Students Union, the vice chancellor approved a three-week break.
The memo read: “The Vice Chancellor, on behalf of the Senate, has approved a three-week break for students of the University of Ibadan, with effect from Saturday 31 August 2024 to 20 September 2024.” It stated that the break was to provide students ample time to complete online registration.
“My school fee is N136,000. I have been able to gather my bundle fee which is N106,000 and I have paid it. It remains Utility and Technology fee which is N30,000. There is nothing coming from home. I am also out of foodstuff and there is no other source I can get money from,” lamented a 300-level Mechanical Engineering student who did not want his name in print.
He added: “It is a whole lot because in August, I had to save up from the money I made up from designs that I make. But when things were going tough for me, I just had to use it to survive. I reached out to friends and it was then that I realised that there were finalists that were in more serious situation than I was. One finalist was even telling me that she has not paid anything.
“I didn’t get positive feedback from many people. But I was able to reach out to a former boss of mine who I worked with and she helped. Eventually, my mom was able to send something and that was how I was able to pay N106,000.
“To be honest, that period wasn’t easy for me to the extent that if I had N1,000 in my hand, I would contemplate whether to use it or save it for my school fees. The three weeks break was actually a benefit for me to raise money and all. I thank God I’ve been able to pay something now.”
After the break, several students report that they are still unable to pay their school fees. Some students are still awaiting loans from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), while others are considering dropping out due to financial constraints.
An internal memo dated September 18 and signed by the registrar notified the institution that NELFUND had supplied a list of students whose loan applications had been approved. It went on to say that even though the university had not yet received the funds, students whose names were on the list provided should be able to take the 2023/2024 first semester examination.
The memo read: “I write to inform the University community that the Nigerian Education Loan Fun (NELFUND) has sent the University of Ibadan a list of 3283 students whose loan application has just been approved.”
However, another memo was released by the registrar in furtherance to the one released on September 18. It stated that NELFUND had credited the university with funds for students whose loans had just been approved.
The memo read: “I write to inform the university community that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has now credited the University of Ibadan with funds of 3,283 students whose loan had just been approved. Affected students are therefore directed to go online and complete their registration by paying through the wallet created for them on the portal.”
Last Friday, UI students held another peaceful protest, carrying placards requesting the Federal Government and university administration to cut school costs.
One of the protesting students carrying a placard cried out: “You have children as well. Probably, your children are out of the country. We just want you to reason with us. A lot of students now will quit because they cannot afford to pay. “Do you want us to steal?”
Another protester said: “The reason we are here this morning is that a lot of things are going on in the University of Ibadan that we are not happy about. Our school fees were increased. Some are selling their bodies because of money, doing what they are not supposed to do.
“If we look at the breakdown of the school fees there are some ridiculous payments there. For example, there are medical fees, and if you want to get your medical registration you will still pay again. This is just a way for them to get more money and the quality of education is not getting better.
“It is not even easy for me to pay; a lot of students are crowd funding. When are we going to stop crowd funding? If we crowd fund for school fees that is N400,000 now, when it gets increased to N600,000 are we still going to crowd fund? The economy is hard it is hard on us and it is also hard on those we are expecting to fund us. So many people have dropped out.”
Students who could not acquire a student loan or gather money to pay their school fees fear that they are about to forfeit their ambition of higher education.