By Aanuoluwapo Olaleye
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has announced a reduction in its fees by an average of 10 per cent, just a week after the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) protested against the fee increase.
The institution had previously increased its fees by over 300 per cent.The decision to slash the fees came after a meeting between the university management, NANS executives, and faculty members.
During the meeting, NANS President Usman Barambu presented the students’ demands, which included the reversal of obligatory fees, hostel fees, and the reinstatement of the Students’ Union Government in UNILAG.
In response, UNILAG Vice-Chancellor Folashade Ogunsola stated that the university’s goal is to provide quality education to all students, regardless of their social class, tribe, or creed.
“After careful evaluation of the issues raised by the students and management, the following consensus was reached at the meeting: Utility Charges for all categories of students were reduced to N15,000:00 from N20,000:00.
“The obligatory fees for new undergraduate students were reviewed from N126,325:00 to N116,325:00 for Courses without Lab/Studio and N176,325:00 to N166,325:00 for Courses with Lab/Studio.
“The obligatory fees for returning undergraduate students were reviewed from N100,750:00 to N80,750:00 for Courses without Lab/Studio; N140,250:00 to N120,250:00 for Courses with Lab/Studio; and from N190,250:00 to N170, 250:00 for Medical / Pharmacy students and students in Health Professions.
“The Convocation Fee to be paid by all final year students was reduced to N27,000:00 from N30,000:00. Hostels fees were reviewed as follows: For undergraduate hostels in Akoka and Yaba campuses, the fees were reduced to N43,000:00 from N90,000:00.
“For hostels in Idi-Araba campus, the fees were reduced to N65,000:00 from N120,000:00. The fees for Sodeinde Hall were reduced to N135,000:00 from N250,000:00.”