Following the not too common protests by UNILAG students last week against what they deemed prohibitive fee increases, the management of University of Lagos has brought down the fees.
In a marathon meeting between the management of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and the national leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), a consensus has been reached to reduce the mandatory fees for students of the institution.
The gathering, held with utmost deliberation, saw the presence of Comrade Usman Umar Barambu, the National President of NANS, accompanied by other NANS officials, and the UNILAG team, led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola.
According to a statement from UNILAG’s Head of Communication Unit, Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, the key highlights of the agreement include:
Utility Charges for all student categories to be reduced to N15,000:00 from N20,000:00.
Mandatory fees for new undergraduate students adjusted to N116,325:00 for courses without Lab/Studio and N166,325:00 for courses with Lab/Studio.
Mandatory fees for returning undergraduate students revised to N80,750:00 for courses without Lab/Studio, N120,250:00 for courses with Lab/Studio, and N170,250:00 for Medical/Pharmacy students and Health Professions.
Convocation Fee for final year students to be lowered to N27,000:00 from N30,000:00.
Hostel fees reduced to N43,000:00 from N90,000:00 for undergraduate hostels in Akoka and Yaba campuses, and to N65,000:00 from N120,000:00 for hostels in Idi-Araba campus. Sodeinde Hall fees were also reduced to N135,000:00 from N250,000:00.
At the outset of the meeting, Comrade Barambu emphasized the demands of UNILAG students, including the reversal of obligatory fees, hostel fee adjustments, and the reinstatement of the Students’ Union Government.
Prof. Ogunsola acknowledged the financial constraints faced by the university due to economic realities and reaffirmed UNILAG’s commitment to alleviating the impact of the fee changes. Measures to mitigate this impact include an Instalment Payment Option, Revitalization of the Work-Study Programme, Assistance to Indigent Students, the Triple A Project, Pay for Mentors Project, and scholarship opportunities, among others.
The Vice-Chancellor assured that no UNILAG student would be forced to leave the institution due to fees, emphasizing the university’s dedication to providing quality education for all, irrespective of social status, ethnicity, or religion.
Furthermore, Prof. Ogunsola announced plans to reinstate student union activities at the university, which had been suspended for over six years.
