After an extensive meeting with the national leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has agreed to reduce the mandatory fees paid by its students. In a statement issued by UNILAG’s Head of the Communication Unit, Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, the meeting took place and resulted in a fee reduction agreement.
The meeting included the National President of NANS, Comrade Usman Umar Barambu, along with other NANS officials and the university’s team led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Folasade Ogunsola.
The following fee adjustments were agreed upon:
1. Utility Charges for all students were reduced to N15,000 from N20,000.
2. Obligatory fees for new undergraduate students were lowered to N116,325 for courses without Lab/Studio and N166,325 for courses with Lab/Studio.
3. Obligatory fees for returning undergraduate students were revised to N80,750 for courses without Lab/Studio, N120,250 for courses with Lab/Studio, and N170,250 for Medical/Pharmacy students and students in Health Professions.
4. The Convocation Fee for final year students was reduced to N27,000 from N30,000.
5. Hostel fees were also reduced:
– For undergraduate hostels in Akoka and Yaba campuses, the fees were reduced to N43,000 from N90,000.
– For hostels in Idi-Araba campus, the fees were reduced to N65,000 from N120,000.
– The fees for Sodeinde Hall were reduced to N135,000 from N250,000.
At the start of the meeting, NANS President outlined the students’ demands, including the reversal of mandatory fees, hostel fee adjustments, and the reinstatement of the Students’ Union Government in UNILAG.
The absence of a Students Union Government (SUG) was acknowledged as a communication challenge between students and the university’s management. Students believed that the SUG would provide them with a platform to express their grievances effectively.
Professor Ogunsola explained the financial constraints faced by the university in light of economic realities and the institution’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations to students, staff, and service providers. She emphasized the university’s dedication to implementing measures to alleviate the impact of fee adjustments. These measures include installment payment options, work-study programs, assistance to indigent students, scholarship opportunities, and more.
The Vice-Chancellor also reassured that no UNILAG student would be forced to drop out due to fees and emphasized the university’s goal of delivering quality education regardless of students’ backgrounds.
Additionally, the process of reinstating student union activities in the university will commence soon. Student unionism had been suspended at UNILAG for over six years.
This decision comes after a series of protests by UNILAG students who had expressed concerns over what they considered prohibitively high fees.
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