Published 17th Sep, 2024

By Timileyin Akinmoyeje

Students of the University of Ibadan have resorted to crowdfunding to pay their tuition fees, with an over 400% increment, for the 2024/2025 session as the school management insists on a Friday deadline.

FIJ can confirm that several student sub-associations, individuals and even the Students’ Union have taken to social media to seek financial assistance for students who cannot afford their fees.

In a statement released on Monday for instance, the Students’ Union launched a campaign to raise N50 million to cover the fees of 500 students before the deadline on Friday.

“The recent hike in school fees at the University of Ibadan has left many students struggling to continue their education. For some, the dream of a better future now seems out of reach. But with your help, we can change that,” the statement read in part.

“The Students’ Union is reaching out to the public for support to ensure that no student is forced to drop out due to financial hardship. Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a life-changing difference.”

READ MORE: Oyo Police Take 2 Students Into Custody After UI Management Told Them to Go Home

Before this, sub-associations such as the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria Students (PANS) UI and the Agronomy Club UI had already begun efforts to raise funds for students under their administration through social platforms like WhatsApp and X.

PANS UI appealed to the public for N140,000 to help students unable to afford the increased fees. Meanwhile, the Agronomy Club UI launched a crowdfunding effort on Sunday to help 15 first-year students pay their tuition.

“The Agronomy Club humbly requests your assistance in supporting the tuition fees for our Agronomy students. They face a deadline of Friday, or they risk being unable to write their exams. Our Freshers, for example, are 28 in number, and 15 of them currently owe,” the club stated.

Crowdfunding appeal by the Agronomy Club, University of Ibadan

Similarly, the University of Ibadan Physiology Students’ Association (UIPSA) has been seeking public donations since Sunday. It aims to support 100 students from the department with tuition payments.

Crowdfunding Appeal by University of Ibadan Physiology Student Association

Other associations crowdfunding for students’ fees include the Faculty of Science Student Association (FASSA UI), the Faculty of Social Sciences Student Association (FATSSA), the Nigerian University Education Students Association (NUESA UI) and the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPEUI), among others.

FIJ previously report ed how the University of Ibadan management hiked school fees by rates between 450% and 750%, depending on the department. In August, students protested against the fee hike on campus. The management responded by ordering all students to vacate the university premises for three weeks.

“Following the meeting of University Management with the leadership of the Students’ Union today, Friday, August 30, 2024, the Vice-Chancellor, on behalf of Senate, has approved a three-week break for students of the University of Ibadan, effective from Saturday, August 31, 2024, to September 20, 2024,” a memo from the school read after the August protests.

“The hostels will be reopened for students from 12 noon on Friday, September 20, 2024. Students are, therefore, to note the following:

“The three weeks is to give students ample time to complete their online registration. The 2023/2024 first semester examinations will now start on Monday, September 23, 2024. The portal for registration will be closed on Friday, September 20, 2024.

“There will be no reopening of the portal for fee payment or course registration after 20 September 2024. Students who do not register appropriately will not be allowed to write examinations. All students are to vacate the University Campus by 2:00 pm on Saturday, 31 August 2024,” the memo concluded.

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3 replies on “UI Students Forced to Crowdfund Costly School Fees as Management Insists on Payment Deadline ”

The management does not have human feeling. The economics is bad, many parent breadwinning these children are unemployed while the allowances of many retirees among them cannot take care of them not to talk of helping these children to settle their school fees. Let ask those managing these schools, “did they pass through this type of agony when they were in schools? No. Many of them got their degrees on the platter of gold. Now they turned their children to beggers. Instead of helping our future leaders, they turn them to beggers and are even happy that some of them should drop out. I believe that posterity will judge many of them soon.