UI’s Fee Hike: Will History Repeat Itself?

Last session, the University of Ibadan found itself at the heart of a crisis. Students, overwhelmed by the sudden school fees hike, took to the streets to protest, as many could not afford the new amounts. In response to the protests, the university management had to shut down academic activities and send students home for three weeks to seek alternatives. Sadly, some students never returned: they dropped out.

As another academic year begins, history appears ready to repeat itself. The university has announced a new fee schedule. The University of Ibadan management hiked school fees by rates between 450% and 750%, depending on the department, according to FIJ report. Once again, the Students’ Union has assured students that they “are taking the matters seriously and we urge all affected students to remain calm as we work toward a solution.” The familiar promises. The meetings. The dialogue. But after everything that happened last year, we cannot help but wonder: will anything actually change?

This déjà vu is hard to ignore. We remember the last fee hike all too well — the confusion, the fear, the uncertainty that gripped us. Despite the “we are working on it” from the UI’SU, nothing was done. Instead, it only left students on the edge. The Aluta song was muted. Everybody had to carry their cross. Who will forget the season of crowd funding? The union had to raise funds for students, and so did faculties and departments.

Now, as the plot seems strikingly familiar, we are forced to ask: why should we believe the promises this time? We understand the economic difficulties facing the country, but can a federal university like UI no longer guarantee affordable education? If we are to be honest, the past has already given us the answer — fees did not go down then, and there is little reason to believe they will this time.

The Students’ Union’s latest assurance raises skepticism. After all, students who are already struggling to make ends meet are now being asked to pay even higher fees. This is exactly what drove students to raise placards and chant “fees must fall” last session, and it seems that, once again, the burden of finding a solution will fall on the shoulders of students — not the administration.

The question we must ask ourselves is this: if UI, once considered an affordable university, can no longer provide an education that is accessible to all, what does that mean for the future of students from humble backgrounds? If children of farmers, civil servants, and ordinary citizens can no longer afford to study here, how can we expect them to become the leaders of tomorrow? If this pattern of fee hikes and empty promises continues, we risk narrowing the door of opportunity for many students. If nothing changes, we must face a harsh reality: the education system will only serve those who can afford it, leaving the rest behind. And what kind of society does that create? What kind of education are we truly offering?

As students, we cannot simply stand by and allow history to repeat itself. We must demand more — not just promises, but real, tangible action.