The authorities of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, have officially announced significant adjustments to the fees that students of the institution will be required to pay for the upcoming academic session.
This decision, which has sparked discussions and concerns among the student body, was made during an emergency meeting of the Senate held on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, according to the school authority.
According to a communique released by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, the fee adjustments vary depending on the faculties and student status, and they are aimed at addressing the evolving financial needs of the institution. Olarewaju provided a breakdown of the revised fee structure:
Faculties of Arts, Law, and Humanities:
Freshers: N151,200
Returning students: N89,200
Before the fee adjustment, returning students in these faculties were paying N20,100 per session.
Faculties of Technology and Science:
Freshers: N163,200
Returning students: N101,200
Faculty of Pharmacy:
Freshers: N190,200
Returning students: N128,200
Prior to the changes, students in the Faculty of Technology and Science were paying N28,100, while those in the Faculty of Pharmacy were paying N31,100 per session.
It is important to note that these adjustments apply to the upcoming academic session only, as emphasized by Olanrewaju, who wished the students resounding success in their academic endeavors.
However, the fee adjustments have not been without controversy. Reports have emerged that the leadership of the Students’ Union Government at OAU is holding a crucial meeting in response to the introduction of a new “professional fee” in the university’s College of Health Sciences.
During a colloquium held by the college management, it was announced that students in the College of Health Sciences would be required to pay an additional N100,000 as a professional fee starting from the next session. This development has raised concerns among the student body.
In a statement jointly issued by the President, Secretary-General, and Public Relations Officer of the Students’ Union Government, Olayiwola Festus, Odewale Damilare, and Ogunperi Taofeek, respectively, they expressed their concerns:
“This evening, it was brought to the attention of the leadership of the Union that there is an increment of N100,000 tagged ‘medical professional fees’ in the College of Health Sciences of the University. In order to address this issue properly and tackle the increment, and for the benefit of students, the Central Executive Council is holding an emergency meeting immediately.”
It is worth noting that this is not the first time such fee increases have caused controversy at OAU. In 2018, medical students at the College of Health Sciences unanimously rejected the introduction of an N85,000 professional training fee.
As discussions and deliberations continue both within the university administration and among the student body, the authorities at Obafemi Awolowo University remain committed to providing quality education while addressing the financial sustainability of the institution.
