Students of the University of Ibadan resumed recently from a three-week break after tensions over the premier institution’s fee hike. Despite the payment of student loans by the Federal Government, indigent students who were left out are still anxious about their ability to pay the fees and continue their education writes TEMILADE AYODELE.
The University of Ibadan was founded in 1948. It was then known as University College, Ibadan. UI prides itself as the “first and the best.” There is no doubt as to the pedigree of this university. For years, UI was the best shot the average Nigerian, no matter their social status, had at getting quality education at a cost that is not beyond their reach. However, that seems to be changing with the recent hike in tuition fees at this institution, despite the commencement of the student loan scheme by the Federal Government.
Michael, a 100-level student in Physics Department, shared 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 University of Ibadan expecting that tuition in a federal school will 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.”
It will be recalled that on Wednesday, July 17, UI students staged a protest against the increase in tuition fees. However, an internal memo dated August 30, 2024 by the institution’s Registrar, Ganiyu Saliu, indicated to students that after a meeting of the university management with the leadership of the Students Union, the vice chancellor had approved a three weeks break.
The memo read: “The Vice Chancellor, on behalf of senate, has approved three weeks break for student 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.”
Now the break is over, some students say that they are still unable to pay their school fees. Some say that they are still waiting on Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) loan, while some are contemplating dropping out as they have no means to pay the fees.
An internal memo dated September 18, signed by the registrar, informed that the university that NELFUND has sent a list of students whose application for the loan has been approved. It added that though the fund has not been received by the university, students whose names are on the list sent should be allowed to sit for 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, students of UI staged another peaceful protest carrying placards begging the Federal Government and the university management to reduce the school fees.
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 secure the student loan or raise money to pay their school fees fear that they are on the verge of forfeiting their dream of higher education.
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