UI Students Face Uncertainty as Fee Payment Deadline Nears

Thousands of University of Ibadan students face uncertainty as the deadline for fee payment and course registration approaches, with the university portal set to close on Friday. Following protests over increased tuition fees, the university management had sent students on a three-week break starting August 31, instructing them to return by September 20 with proof of registration for admission into halls of residence. Students who fail to register will not be allowed to write their first-semester exams, scheduled for September 23.

In a race against the Friday deadline, students have launched crowdfunding campaigns, appealing for financial support from the public to cover their fees. Various student bodies and departmental associations have created e-flyers calling for donations of N1,000, N2,000, and N5,000, urging well-meaning individuals to help prevent students from dropping out due to the steep fee hike.

Flyers from different departments, including medical, pharmacy, and education, highlight the urgent need for assistance. For instance, one flyer from the pharmacy department noted that fees had risen from around N50,000-N60,000 to approximately N150,000. Appeals across social media platforms reflect the growing anxiety among students as they count down to the deadline.

On X (formerly Twitter), comments poured in, criticizing the situation. One user, @adeewunmii, lamented, “Nigeria is so messed up. UI students now have to raise funds to stay in school.” Others expressed shock at the scale of the fee hike, with alumni recalling the difficulties they faced even when fees were significantly lower.

In response, the Council of Departmental Presidents at UI sent an open letter to the university’s vice-chancellor, requesting an extension of the deadline for school fee payments and permission for students to take their General Studies exam next week, regardless of their payment status. The letter, signed by chairperson Iyun Olalekan and other council executives, highlighted the financial struggles faced by many students, exacerbated by the country’s economic situation and delays in the approval of NELFUND student loans. They urged the university to grant leniency to students still awaiting financial support.