UI announces three-week break for students following protest

Following recent protests against tuition fee increase, the management of the University of Ibadan (UI) has granted students a three-week break.

Ganiyu Saliu, the institution’s registrar, confirmed the break in an internal memo obtained by journalists in Ibadan on Saturday.

According to him, the break will last from Saturday to September 20.

Mr Saliu stated that the break was approved by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, on behalf of the Senate, during the management meeting with the Students’ Union on Friday.

However, the registrar claims that the break will give students enough time to complete their online registrations.

“The 2023/2024 first semester examinations will start on Sept. 23 and the portal for registration will be closed on Sept. 20.

“There will be no re-opening of the portal for fee payment or course registration after Sept. 20.

“Students who do not register appropriately will not be allowed to write examinations,” he said. 

According to him, all students have been directed to vacate the campus by 2.00 p.m. on Saturday in strict compliance with the management’s directives.

“The halls of residence will be reopened for students from noon on Sept. 20,” he said.

On Thursday, students began an indefinite protest in response to the university’s decision to increase tuition fees, which was approved by its senate and upheld by the institution’s governing council.

At its inaugural meeting, the council, chaired by Adebisi Akande, discussed the revised schedule of levies for newly accepted and returning undergraduate students in the 2023/2024 academic session.

It sympathised with the students but stated that the evaluation was required given the current economic climate and the university’s commitment to providing high-quality teaching and research.

It did, however, urge students to make use of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and several scholarships established by the university and other philanthropic individuals.