University of Ibadan Shuts Down Amid Student Protests Over Tuition Hike

The University of Ibadan (UI) in Oyo State has been temporarily closed following a series of student protests against a significant hike in tuition fees. The university’s management has ordered all students to vacate the campus by 2 pm on Saturday, August 31, 2024, citing the need for a three-week break.

The decision to close the university comes after students staged a peaceful protest on Friday, blocking roads leading to the campus while carrying placards with messages such as “We Say No Tuition Hikes,” “The Management Is Insensitive To Our Plights,” and “Our Parents Cannot Afford The New Hikes.” The protest was sparked by the university’s Governing Council’s decision to increase tuition fees, which students argue is unaffordable given the current economic situation in the country.

In response to the protests, the university’s registrar, G. O. Saliu, issued a circular on Saturday directing all students to leave the campus. The circular, dated August 30, 2024, stated that the university would be closed for three weeks, with plans to reopen on Friday, September 20, 2024.

“All students are to vacate the university campus by 2 pm on Saturday, August 31, 2024. The hostel will be reopened from noon on Friday, September 20, 2024,” the circular read. It also noted that the three-week break is intended to give students ample time to complete their online registration, with the first semester examinations now scheduled to start on Monday, September 23, 2024. The registration period will close on Friday, September 20, 2024.

The announcement of the closure has been met with strong criticism from the student body, who view the move as an attempt to weaken the momentum of their protests. The Union of Campus Journalists (UCJ), a media platform within the institution, released a statement on Saturday indicating that students are not backing down.

“Following the University of Ibadan’s announcement of a three-week break, students are once again mobilizing to resume their protests, which have been ongoing for the past three days,” the statement read. “The management’s decision to mandate all students to vacate campus by 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 31, 2024, has sparked renewed anger among the student body, leading to calls for immediate action.”

The students have resolved to reconvene and continue their demonstrations until their demands are met. They argue that the fee hike is unaffordable and that the university management has been insensitive to their financial struggles.

The situation at UI highlights the growing tension between university administrations and students across Nigeria, as many institutions have been forced to raise fees due to economic pressures. However, students are pushing back, insisting that the increased costs will make education inaccessible for many.