After so much pressure from different groups and protests by students, the management of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has reduced the initially hiked fees.
The decision to reduce the fees was made in a meeting with the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Usman Umar Barambu; accompanied by top officers of the Association and UNILAG faculty leaders.
During the meeting, Barambu presented the demands of UNILAG students, which included: Reversal of Obligatory Fees, Reversal of Hostel Fees, and Reinstatement of Students’ Union Government (SUG) in UNILAG.
Barambu emphasized the importance of having a functional Students’ Union Government to facilitate effective communication between students and the university management.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, on the other hand, explained the financial challenges facing the university due to economic realities and the struggle to meet its obligations to students, staff, and municipal service providers, among others.
She also outlined the measures being put in place by the university to alleviate the impact of the fees. The measures according to her include the Installment Payment Option, Revitalisation of Work-Study Programme, Assistance to Indigent Students, Triple A Project, Pay for Mentors Project, and Scholarship Opportunities among others.
Professor Ogunsola therefore reassured that “No UNILAG student would drop out of the institution due to fees”; noting that the aim of the University is to deliver quality education to its students regardless of class, tribe or creed.
According to the state issued and signed by Head, UNILAG Communication unit, Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, consensus reached at the end of the meeting are:
1. Utility charges for all categories of students was reduced to ₦15,000 from ₦20,000.
2. The obligatory fees for new undergraduate students was reviewed from ₦126,325 to ₦116,325 for courses without Lab/Studio; and from ₦176,325 to ₦166,325 for courses with Lab/Studio.
3. The obligatory fees for returning undergraduate students was reviewed from ₦100,750 to ₦80,750 for courses without Lab/Studio; ₦140,250 to ₦120,250 for courses with Lab/Studio; and from ₦190,250 to ₦170, 250 for Medical/Pharmacy students and students in Health Professions.
4. The Convocation Fee to be paid by all final year students was also reduced to ₦27,000 from ₦30,000.
5. Hostels fees were reviewed as follows:
I. For undergraduate hostels in Akoka and Yaba campuses, the fees was reduced to ₦43,000 from ₦90,000.
II. For hostels in Idi-Araba campus, the fees was reduced to ₦65,000 from ₦120,000.
III. The fees for Sodeinde Hall was reduced to ₦135,000 from ₦250,000
6. The Vice-Chancellor will commence the process of reinstating students’ union activities in the University.
