UI students turn ‘beggars’ on social media over tuition hike

Following the recent tuition fees hike, different student groups of the University of Ibadan (UI) have taken to social media to beg for financial assistance as failure to do so will hinder many of them from taking their examinations, which is slated to begin Monday, September 23.

NaijaOnPoint.com.ng( NOP) reports that several student sub-associations took to the microblogging platform, to solicit for funds as the September 20 deadline for the payment of school fees approaches.

The Students’ Union in a statement signed by UISU’s president, Bolaji Aweda, and the Public Relations Officer, Omotayo Olumide, had gone as far as launching a campaign to raise N50 million to cover the fees of 500 students before the deadline on Friday.

“The recent hike in school fees at the University of Ibadan has left many students struggling to continue their education. For some, the dream of a better future now seems out of reach. But with your help, we can change that,” the statement read in part.

“The Students’ Union is reaching out to the public for support to ensure that no student is forced to drop out due to financial hardship. Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a life-changing difference.”

Other Faculties, including Pharmacy and Nursing, Departments of Agronomy, Physiology, and Nutrition Science, have separately solicited funds to help their members pay tuition.

The Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria Students, University of Ibadan, in a broadcast tagged “Help UI Pharmacy Students To Stay In School.”

Similarly, the University of Ibadan Physiology Students’ Association (UIPSA) has been seeking public donations since Sunday.

Other associations crowdfunding for students’ fees include the Faculty of Science Student Association (FASSA UI), the Faculty of Social Sciences Student Association (FATSSA), the Nigerian University Education Students Association (NUESA UI) and the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPEUI), among others.

It would be recalled that students of the institution protested against the hike in school fees approved by the governing council on Thursday, August 29, asking for a reversal.

However, the management of the institution gave the students a three-week break on Saturday, August 31, instructing them to vacate their halls of residence within six hours following the protest.