Students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) have appealed to the federal government and administration of the institution to revert to the old school fees.
The students, who presented a peaceful protest, pledged not to end the protest until the management heeded their appeal.
They blocked the entrance gate with posters and forestalled any entry or exit from the institution.
President of the FUTA Student Union Government, Comrade Olayemi Oluwasoromidayo, said the protest was the last option after several meetings with the management.
Oluwasoromidayo said the school’s management refused to yield to their demands, hence they decided to stage the protest.
He said school fee increments have come ceaseless in the institution.
Oluwasoromidayo stated that the administration increased the school fees to over N 200,000 naira for freshers and N 130,000 for old students.
The school management responded to the protest by postponing the resumption date of new students for the 2023/2024 academic session as well as ordering the students to vacate campus within 24 hours.
It also put on hold the registration of returning students via the University portal and payment of fees by all returning students for the new academic session.
The spokesperson for FUTA, Adegbenro Adebanjo, in a statement, said the proposed new fees were substantially for student- related services which are sourced from the economy.
The statement said the costs of such goods and services provided by the University for the students would clearly be impacted by the costs of goods and services in the economy.
The statement said “ To ensure the smooth running of the University, certain consumables and payments for municipal services such as electricity, water, hostel maintenance and cleaning and sundry other services are necessary and the costs of delivering the services have shot up and the new charges are in response to this.
“ Other costs that were adjusted as a result of economic reality include medical examination for all new students, Biometric ID cards and Tertiary Institutions Students Health Insurance Programme TISHIP administered by NHIS for students and final yearbook.
It’s important to say that Tuition is free and no money is being charged as a school fee
“ The Management reiterates that tuition remains free for all students and that it has an inbuilt medium within the system to look into and make agreement on matters affecting students including fees. And that medium is working on this matter and agreement will be achieved.”
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