The management of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, has agreed to reduce fees payable by students after a marathon meeting with the national leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS.
Head, Communication Unit of UNILAG, Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem on Friday disclosesd that the meeting was attended by NANS President, Comrade Usman Umar Barambu,other NANS officers and the university team led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola.
“The meeting agreed that Utility Charges for all categories of students be reduced to N15, 000 from N20, 000. Obligatory fees for new undergraduate students was reviewed from N126,325 to N116,325 for courses without Lab/Studio and N176,325 to N166,325 for courses with Lab/Studio.
“The obligatory fees for returning undergraduate students was reviewed from N100,750 to N80,750 for courses without Lab/Studio; N140,250 to N120,250 for courses with Lab/Studio; and from N190,250 to N170, 250 for Medical / Pharmacy students and students in Health Professions.
“The Convocation Fee to be paid by all final year students was reduced to N27, 000 from N 30,000:00. Hostels fees were reviewed as follows: For undergraduate hostels in Akoka and Yaba campuses, the fees was reduced to N43, 00 from N90, 000. For hostels in Idi-Araba campus, the fees was reduced to N65, 000 from N120,000 The fees for Sodeinde Hall was reduced to N135, 000 from N250, 000”.
At the commencement of the meeting, NANS President canvassed highlighted the reversal of obligatory fees, reversal of hostel fees, and the reinstatement of Students’ Union Government in UNILAG.
Comrade Barambu observed that the absence of a Students Union Government in UNILAG had adversely affected communication between the students and management. He also noted that students would be able to channel their grievances appropriately through their union.
Professor Ogunsola enumerated the dire situation of the University in view of prevailing economic realities and the struggle to meet its obligations to students, staff and municipal service providers among others.
She stated the university’s commitment to the actualization of measures put in place to ameliorate the impact of the obligatory fee review.
These measures include the Instalment Payment Option, Revitalisation of Work-Study Programme, Assistance to Indigent Students, Triple A Project, Pay for Mentors Project, scholarship opportunities among others.
The Vice-Chancellor also reiterated that “No UNILAG student would drop out of the institution due to fees”. She stressed that the aim of the university was to deliver quality education to its students regardless of class, tribe or creed.
The VC would commence the process of reinstating students’ union activities in the university as soon as possible.
Student unionism has been proscribed in the university for over a six years.
Recall that students of the institution have been protesting since last week over the new fee regime which they described as prohibitive.
