Students Task Tinubu to Check Hike in Federal Universities’ Fees

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The National Association of University Students (NAUS), Osun State Campus Monitoring Committee yesterday urged President Bola Tinubu to take drastic measures to address the astronomical increase of school fees in various tertiary institutions in the country.

The students also decried the recent 300 percent increase of school fees in federal universities, especially the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) by the school management, which they said would pull many Nigerian students out of school

Speaking at a press conference with journalists in Osogbo, the President of NAUS, Popoola Olayinka, remarked that education is a right of every citizens and not a privileged, which the government must prioritise, and make education affordable.

Olayinka, who spoke alongside his Secretary, Akinleye Okiji, with other executive members, noted that the association in conjunction with OAU Student Union has given a five-day ultimatum for management to reverse the fee increase, and that failure to do so may lead to mass action.

According to him, other demands include the closure of student payment portal and total suspension of any payment into the accounts of OAU until all demands are met.

While speaking on recent communal killings at Ilesha, he enjoined security agencies to rise up to the occasion and ensure those behind the act are brought to justice, and that the state government should address and resolve all communal crises in communities in the state.

On the subsidy palliative, the association asked the federal and state governments to further roll out measure to cushion the effect, as many Nigerians are facing serious challenges, particularly in food and transportation system.