Rita Odafe
Students at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Idi-Araba campus, have initiated protests against a steep rise in hostel fees.
The students most affected by this increase come from the College of Medicine and Faculty of Pharmacy.
As reported by SaharaReporters, the protests stemmed from the management’s announcement to raise the hostel fees to ₦80,000 for two semesters and ₦100,000 for an entire academic year, a sharp increase from the earlier fee of ₦65,000 that had been established last session.
With chants like “Change the memo, we no dey go,” the students expressed their dissatisfaction and called for the fee hike to be revoked.
They voiced their displeasure over the management’s unilateral decision to impose higher fees contrary to prior agreements.
In retaliation, UNILAG issued an eviction order directing students to vacate the hostels, exacerbating the already strained atmosphere on campus.
Protesters are refusing to leave, demanding that their concerns be addressed before taking any further steps.
Authorities have dispatched police officers to monitor the protest site, aiming to prevent any escalation, though tensions are still running high as students continue to urge the university to reconsider the new fee structure.
A letter from the Principal Assistant Secretary of the Students Affairs Unit, Olusegun Akinnagbe, notified students to leave the hostels, despite many having already paid for the full year.
The communication states, “Notice of Vacation of the Hostel to Non-Medical Graduating & Undergraduate Students of the College of Medicine and Faculty of Pharmacy”.
“In reference to our previous notice dated 16th October, 2024, the management has issued the following directive:
“Any student wishing to remain in the hostel pending project defense, industrial attachment, or for other legitimate reasons must submit a written application through their Head of Department to the Dean and the Provost.
“You must specify the intended duration of your stay. Applications should reach the Students Affairs Office by Monday, 28th October, 2024.”
Akinnagbe also mentioned that students allowed to stay would incur a prorated fee.
See Videos Below;
UNILAG CMUL Students Take to the Streets to Protest Hike in Accommodation Fees@SaharaReporters @MobilePunch @channelstv @tvcnewsng pic.twitter.com/DTBuTSoj6c
— ||F.O.C||UPDATE (@foc_embrace001) October 23, 2024
We stand with UNILAG students protesting fee hikes and unjust evictions. Accessible education is a fundamental right, encompassing affordable tuition, accommodation. The Nigerian government must serve its people by addressing students’ concerns… pic.twitter.com/5bz9RcIkZp
— Take it back Movement (@TIBmovement) October 23, 2024
