The University of Abuja students returned to school only to be greeted with astronomical hikes in school fees.
This is after 10 months of stay-at-home due to the industrial strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and partially due to the covid19 lockdown.
The students lament that many of them were unable to even pay the school fees before the lockdown talk less of about 300% hike in some faculties.
They also complain that those who could not pay the fees at that time have been slammed with an extra year just because the portal was shut down while they struggled to come up with the initial amount.
in addition to that, late registration also attacks a penalty of N5,000
According to Philemon O. Kojo-Woode@woode_kojo “From 33k school fees to 125k and then @UofANigeria locked portal asking for 5k late course registration. This is after COVID lockdown This is after admitting students even in December”
The four-point demand by the students:
- Reopening and extension of school fees portal till end of session
- No fee for late late registration including adding or dropping of subjects
- Reviewing of school fees charges ahead of next session and reviewing of college of Health Science Fees for current session
- Postponement of first semester exam date to 8th of March, 2021
Memes @memesandvibes· “Well finally we are finally taking actions and not depending on those the school elected to govern us. Coming back from home after a year to increment in school fees and also just 10 days to write test, do lectures and do practicals before exams on the 15th.”
Unfortunately, the protesting students were dispersed by gunshots from yet to be identified security agents.
Ater Solomon Vendaga@AterVendaga· “The demands are genuine. Our voices must be heard. Enough of the oppression. Grant our four demands. @_pizatti #EndUniabujaOppression
Christian Amaka@ugegbe_oyibo3· “Uniabuja students are currently back in school, but was welcomed to 100% increment in the school fee, plus a N5000 late payment fine charge on everyone. Help me ask the Uniabuja V.C. how students who spent one year away from school cause of a pandemic… #EndUniabujaOppression