In response to the vocal concerns raised by students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), the university’s administration has taken proactive steps to address these issues.
Following a meeting that took place on Thursday, September 14, 2023, between the University of Lagos authorities, led by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, and representatives of the National Association of Nigerian Students, including Comrade Usman Umar Barambu and UNILAG Faculty leaders, a significant decision was reached.
During the meeting, Comrade Barambu presented a series of demands on behalf of the students, which encompassed the reversal of mandatory fees, hostel charges, and the restoration of the Students’ Union Government at UNILAG.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, while acknowledging the students’ concerns, highlighted the university’s commitment to providing a high-quality education accessible to all, regardless of their economic backgrounds.
In the wake of thorough deliberations and negotiations between the student representatives and the university’s management, several noteworthy agreements were reached:
Utility Charges: Utility charges for all categories of students were reduced from N20,000:00 to N15,000:00.
Obligatory Fees for New Undergraduate Students: The obligatory fees for new undergraduate students saw a revision from N126,325:00 to N116,325:00 for courses without laboratory/studio components and from N176,325:00 to N166,325:00 for courses with laboratory/studio elements.
Obligatory Fees for Returning Undergraduate Students: For returning undergraduate students, obligatory fees underwent adjustments from N100,750:00 to N80,750:00 for courses without laboratory/studio components, from N140,250:00 to N120,250:00 for courses with laboratory/studio elements, and from N190,250:00 to N170,250:00 for medical/pharmacy students and students pursuing health professions.
Convocation Fee: The convocation fee for all final year students was reduced from N30,000:00 to N27,000:00.
Hostel Fees: The adjustments in hostel fees are as follows:
Undergraduate hostels in Akoka and Yaba campuses were reduced to N43,000:00 from N90,000:00.
Hostels in the Idi-Araba campus saw a reduction to N65,000:00 from N120,000:00.
Sodeinde Hall fees were adjusted to N135,000:00 from N250,000:00.
This significant decision comes as a response to the protests carried out by some students of the University of Lagos, who had expressed their dissatisfaction with the previously announced tuition fee increases in July.
The university administration cited the prevailing economic conditions as the rationale behind these fee adjustments, emphasizing their commitment to accessible and quality education for all students.