The University of Ibadan recently saw protests by students against the hike in tuition fees and power supply rationing. The students, masked to conceal their identities, staged a demonstration blocking the main entrance to the school and around the Senate Building.
The protest was prompted by an emergency congress decision following dissatisfaction with recent policies. These policies included a new electricity rationing plan and significant fee increases. The students demanded the complete reversal of these policies, citing economic hardships that make education unaffordable for many.
According to reports, the protest was organized after a document outlining the students’ grievances was circulated. It detailed plans for a peaceful demonstration and a mass boycott of lectures. Students expressed frustration over annual fee increases, with some departments seeing fees rise drastically.
The university management responded by holding meetings with the students to address their concerns, including the electricity rationing and fee hikes. However, tensions remained high as students voiced concerns about the deteriorating conditions on campus, including inadequate healthcare and essential services.
Efforts to contact the Students’ Union President for further comment were unsuccessful, while the university’s Public Relations Officer confirmed ongoing discussions to resolve the issues raised by the protesting students.