Osun students demand reversal of hiked tuition fees in state tertiary institutions

By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Council (JCC), Osun, on Thursday demanded the immediate reversal of increase in tuition fees in all the state owned tertiary institutions.

The students who stormed the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel, Osogbo in their numbers gave the government seven days ultimatum to address the numerous academic challenges currently facing the students of Osun owned tertiary institutions.

They said if the state government under the leadership of Governor Ademola Adeleke fails to answer their calls and respond to their demands they would not hesitate to hit the streets in protest.

At a press conference addressed by Osun NANS Joint Campus Council (JCC), Comrade Ogungbe Taiwo said students of the state were disappointed by the way and manner Adeleke led administration is treating them.

Taiwo who identified lack of student welfarism and inclusion in Governor Adeleke’s administration expressed disappointment saying that the incumbent governor has neglected students’ welfare.

“We express deep disappointment in the government of  Governor Ademola Nurudeen Jackson  Adeleke for neglecting student welfare. Despite initial hope, anti-student policies have been implemented, and we are still lagging behind other Southwest states, we urge the government to prioritise students’ concerns.

“Immediate reversal of increased school fees: Students demand the immediate reversal of increased school fees in Osun State-owned institutions. It’s disheartening seeing the pain on our students in the present hardship faced by our parents.We hereby call for total reversal of the increased tuition fees, failure to act promptly will result in mass mobilization by the students body and relocation of our Secretariat to the office of the Governor.

“We demand for adequate palliatives and infrastructure: we reiterate our demand for adequate palliatives and infrastructure improvements to enhance the learning environment on campuses.

“The road network across the tertiary institutions is in a very terrible state and yet nothing has been done to make it pliable. Most of our lecturers’ halls are nellow standard, the government should look into these abnormalities which keep increasing each day due to the lack of a conducive learning environment.

“Also the government should charge the school management to provide a parking lot for students as students are parking outside their campuses, a particular place should be allocated for students to park their bikes or cars inside the school instead of outside. Medical ambulances should be provided for schools, and the clinics should be well equipped.”

“Despite our efforts through letters to government authorities, indifference persists. Therefore, we issue a seven-day ultimatum to the government to address our demands. Failure to do so will result in peaceful protests and roadblocks in Osogbo, the state capital,” the Association said.