By Ogochukwu Isioma
Students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Benin City, Edo State, have threatened to shut down activities in the institution indefinitely.
This is coming after the management of the institution approved an almost 100 per cent increment in school fees payable by old undergraduate students.
The students were greeted by news of the fee increment which reflected on their portal early Tuesday, just a few days to resumption of academic activities.
METROWATCHXTRA.COM observed that charges for Science and Non-science Full-Time students — “admitted before the 2022/2023 academic session” — was increased to N85,500 and N81,500 respectively.
Before now, returning Science and Non-science undergraduate students pay the sum of N45,400 and N41,400 respectively, as school charges.
The increment is coming despite an earlier assurance by the management during the last increment of fees for new students — which was later reviewed — that the new fee regime will not affect old or returning students.
“Please note that all students admitted before the 2022/2023 session will continue to pay their earlier stated respective charge (i.e N45,400 for science and N41,400 for non-science students),” the statement published on the students’ portal of the University at that time read.
However, the new increment contradicts that assurance by the management. Meanwhile, students are expected back on campus on 25th September for resumption of new academic session.
Already, the students have kicked against the school fees increment and currently mobilising their colleagues for a possible protest to demand a reversal.
As at the time of filing this report, management is yet to formally issue a statement on the school fees increment.
But, a statement on Tuesday by the UNIBEN Students’ Union Government (SUG), advised students to remain calm and not to make any payment.
The Union expressed displeasure over the development, while calling for a total reversal of the fees in line with an existing agreement with the management.
“The Union says no to school fees increment and total reversal of school fees for returning students as there was an agreement with management, union and other stakeholders of the university not to increase school fees for returning students.
“Returning students are advised not to make any payments, as whoever pays is doing so at his or her own risk”, said a statement jointly signed by Nmoye Israel and Rita, the Union’s President and Secretary-General respectively.
“Students are advised to remain calm, as the union and other stakeholders will proceed to the management immediately for a total reversal of the increment.”
Increment of school fees is not peculiar to UNIBEN alone. Just recently, the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, announced an over 300 per cent increment of school fees and other charges.
Similarly, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) recently increased her school fees for undergraduate students. The charges were however later reviewed downward after a protest by students.