UI STUDENTS TAKE A STAND: PROTEST AGAINST SCHOOL FES HIKE AND ELECTRICITY RATIONING

By Hadiza Usman

On Wednesday, 17th July 2024, many students at the University of Ibadan took to the streets of the university to protest the institution’s recent decisions to hike school fees and ration electricity supply on campus. The protest was sparked by a memo released the previous day, 16th July, 2024, from the Works and Maintenance unit announcing a new electricity schedule, limiting power supply to 10 hours a day- from 10pm to 2am and from 8am to 2pm.

However, by 10pm the previous night, the power supply had not been restored, prompting students to take action. The protest began few minutes past 10pm on Tuesday at the Independence hall of residence (Indy) and Nnamdi Azikiwe hall of residence (Zik) axis, with students marching down to the Vice Chancellor’s lodge. By 2am on Wednesday, the University of Ibadan Students’ Union (UI SU) released a memo announcing the shutdown of academic and transportation activities for the day due to the scheduled protest.

At dawn, the protest gained momentum with students from various halls of residence joining the demonstration, chanting slogans and demanding adequate power supply and a REVERSAL in school fees. The protesters marched from the school’s gate to various faculties, the Works and Maintenance unit, and finally, the Senate building.

The demands made by the students were: Adequate power supply must be provided, and school fees must fall. The union is also calling for a refund for students who have already paid the increased fees. Specifically, medical students who saw their fees skyrocket from 68,000 naira to 250,000 naira. The bundle fee of other students, also jumped from 28,000 naira to 102,000 naira.

The student union also condemned the victimization of three students who embarked on a peaceful protest on May 13th, 2024. .

The university authorities are yet to respond to the students’ demands, but the students remain resolute in their pursuit of a better learning environment. The protest still continues, with students united in their quest for a fair and conducive academic environment. The students of the University of Ibadan have decided that they will not be silenced until their demands are met.