In a show of unity and discontent, thousands of students at the University of Ibadan protested against the recent increase in school fees and other longstanding issues.
The demonstration began at 8 a.m., with students gathering at the institution’s entrances and blocking access for both academic and non-academic staff.
With all entrances secured, the students proceeded to march across various faculties, ensuring a complete shutdown of academic activities.
The protesters vehemently opposed any video recording of the event, citing unfair treatment by the school management.
The students, who spoke to newsmen, revealed that three primary concerns drove the protest: the hike in school fees, inadequate facilities, and the management’s apparent disregard for students’ welfare. They demanded prompt action from the administration to address these grievances.
A male student said, “We are protesting against injustice and insensitivity of the state school authorities to our plight.”
“You can imagine the authorities saying they will be shedding power henceforth, which means there are days we will be in darkness. How do they expect us to study?”.
“Secondly, they have hiked school fees astronomically to an unimaginable proportion. Do they want us to abandon our studies? Our parents are saying there is no money. Even feeding is difficult and we are still trying to wriggle out of this they are bringing hike in tuition fees. We cannot take this any longer. Enough is enough”.
“The third issue is the victimization of some of our colleagues who protested last time. The police have arrested them and up to now, they are still being detained for saying no to injustice. They are hurting us and they don’t want us to complain.”
Three female students who are in science said the situation is worse for them as they have to pay through their noses.
One of them said when she gained admission, she paid around N78,000 but now she is asked to pay over N300,000; some are paying N200,000.
The event disrupted the early take-off of a programme scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Department of Economics, CBN Hall.
The students went to the premises and shut all the gates, while a few staff members who managed to trek from the gates scampered for safety.
