OAU reduces fees, resumes academic activities

The authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo
University, Ile-Ife, have reduced the school
fees of the students.
A statement by the Public Relations Officer of
the institution, Mr. Biodun Olarewaju, stated
that the reduction, was for returning students
in Science, Administration, Education
(Science), Technology, Agriculture, Medicine,
Dentistry, Medical Rehabilitation, Nursing and
Pharmacy only.
However, the fees for returning
undergraduates in Law, Arts, Social Sciences,
Administration and Education (Arts) faculties
remained N19, 700.
The newly admitted students of the OAU will
also pay between N 82,400, N92,700 and
N95,700 (acceptance fee inclusive), which was
increased from the previously charged
N37,150 and N42,150.
It would be recalled that OAU returning
students previously paid between N5, 300,
N7,800, N10, 300 and N12,800 per session
before the increment.
With the reduction, the affected students will
now pay between N27,700 and N29,700.
The statement by Olarewaju read, "In a rare
show of administrative magnanimity in
university management, Prof. Bamitale Omole
has, again, proved that he runs an open and
compassionate administration by graciously
reducing the charges payable by the students
of the OAU, Ile-Ife.
"The reduction is sequel to the appeals from
various stakeholders and the meetings held
with the Students' Union leadership of OAU,
National Association of Nigerian Students,
Zone D South West, and other Students'
stakeholders within and outside the
university."
In a related development, academic activities
have resumed on the university campus on
Monday, after its two-month shutdown.
The management had closed the school on
Wednesday, June 18, over protests by
students against the increment in their school
fees.
Meanwhile, the students union of the
university has appealed to the school
management to further review the charges.
President of the union, Isaac Ibikunle, said
the reduction was "insignificant", lamenting
that charges for newly admitted students were
not reviewed.
"The fees should be further reduced and
preferably reversed. We also want the charges
of the newly-admitted students to be
reviewed." he added.