As protests over increase in fees continue at the University of Lagos, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folashade Ogunsola, has said there is no going back on the new fees introduced by the institution.
She, however, assured the student that none of them would be made to drop out over the increment, saying the university has mapped out plans to accommodate the indigent ones.
Speaking at a virtual press conference at the weekend, Ogunsola said the decision to increase fees was due to the harsh economic conditions and the inability of the school to meet with requirements of global and quality education.
Ogunsola expressed regrets that the increment coincided with fuel subsidy removal, saying the decision to hike fees was taken in January after due consultation with stakeholders.
She said the university would not be able to meet its role of giving qualitative education to its students and conducive teaching and learning environment for all concerned, if it continues with the old price regime.
According to her, every year, the university spends N1.7 billion on electricity, N140 million on examinations, between N100 and N200 million on course accreditation, excluding costs of maintenance of faculties and hostels.
She said the university had maintained the old fee regime of N19,000 for 15 years, but that such is no longer realistic, considering current economic realities.
With the new fees, new students admitted for medicine would pay N190,250, science-related courses would pay N140, 250, while arts and management courses would pay N100, 750.
The VC also noted that there is a special arrangement with the Lagos Bus Rapid Transport system to ease students’ movement.
“We have decided to introduce installment payments. Students can pay in three installments: 50 per cent while coming in, 25 per cent before examination, and the remaining 25 per cent during the second semester. Once a student pays 50 per cent, he or she can go ahead to ballot for accommodation.”
The increment had been rejected by students, who demanded that the old fees be restored. Last week, some aggrieved students disrupted human and vehicular activities protesting the new fees. It took the intervention of the police to restore normalcy while some of the protesters were arrested.
They have vowed to continue the protest until the management rescinds its decision.
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