Hey there, middle schoolers! Today, we’re going to talk about a protest that happened at Obafemi Awolowo University, also known as OAU, in Ile-Ife. The students at OAU were not happy about the increase in their school fees, so they decided to take a stand and make their voices heard.
The students wanted the government to do something about the high fees, so they demanded a 50% reduction in the charges. They believed that instead of raising fees, the government should use the money from subsidy removal to invest in education. They also wanted the university to stick to the original plan of allowing students to pay their fees in installments.
To show their dissatisfaction, the students blocked the main gate of the university, preventing vehicles from entering or leaving. This caused a lot of inconvenience for everyone, including students, staff, and other people who needed to access the campus.
The protest was organized by the student union congress on Monday, October 2, 2023. The students had a specific demand regarding the installment payment system, and they wanted answers. The Director of ICT, who was representing the Vice-Chancellor, explained that the delay in activating the installment payment option was due to a shortage of staff in the ICT center. This shortage was caused by a wave of staff leaving the country, which affected the process of activating the payment system on the university’s website.
However, the Director assured the students that the installment payment option would be activated by the end of the day. This meant that students would be able to pay their fees in smaller amounts over a period of time, making it more manageable for them.
So, that’s what happened at OAU. The students stood up for what they believed in and demanded a reduction in their school fees. They also made sure their voices were heard by blocking the campus gate. Let’s see what happens next and if their demands are met!
