Group wants NOUN to reverse fee increment, scrap hostel fee at Polytechnic Ibadan

• Demands improved funding of public education at all levels

A group, the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), has condemned the decision by the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) to increase school fees for undergraduate and postgraduate students offering different programmes from the 36 study centres across states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

According to the new schedule of fees, the total fee payable by new undergraduate students is now N55, 000 as against the initial N36, 000, excluding courses and exam registration. Exam registration is now N1, 500 from an initial amount of N1, 000. Likewise, project fee for undergraduates rose to N25, 000 while that of postgraduate fee was hiked from N35, 000 to N61, 000.

In a statement signed by its Deputy National Coordinator, Ogunjimi Isaac and Acting National Mobilisation Officer, Adaramoye Michael Lenin, ERC described the move as scandalous and outrageous saying well-meaning Nigerians should reject it.

ERC expressed support for NOUN students to demand immediate reversal of the hiked fees and proper funding and democratic management of the institution and study centres.

The group also condemned a similar situation at The Polytechnic Ibadan, where the ‘hostel refusal fee’ has been increased from N5000 to N15, 000 leading students to protest on Monday January 9, 2023.

“Unfortunately, the only response the authorities of the Polytechnic counted worthy was to suspend the students union and to postpone examinations, claiming the protest was politically motivated. As far as we are concerned, the introduction of hostel refusal fee in the first instance is ridiculous and exploitative, let alone the increase. The Polytechnic Ibadan, wants to charge students for refusing to stay in the institution’s hostels which are inadequate and in poor and decrepit conditions. This is unacceptable.

Stating that reversing the charge is not enough, the group demanded the total scrapping of the fee alongside other absurd fees.

“As far as we are concerned, the ERC supports the struggles of NOUN and The Polytechnic Ibadan students who are protesting commercialisation of education. The group also condemned the suspension of The Polytechnic Ibadan students union and demanded its immediate reinstatement, warning the institution’s management to refrain from victimising any student and their leaders for their roles in the protest.

ERC stressed that given the harsh economic situation under the current administration, these increments in fees across campuses will only add to the burden of economic woes that parents and guardians, who are under constant pressure to make ends meet to educate their wards.