On Monday, some students from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic in Abeokuta, Ogun State, gathered at the school’s entrance to protest several issues, including an increase in the acceptance fee for newly admitted students.
These students arrived at the campus gate as early as 7 a.m., holding placards with messages such as #No To Tuition Fee Increment, #Rector Must Go, #Release our Results ASAP, and others. The Nigerian Police Force also had a presence at the protest site.
Among the concerns raised by the students were the delay in the release of their results, a shortage of staff, and the hike in the acceptance fee for new students. The Students Union President, Babatunde Adelola, explained that the management claimed insufficient subsidy from the state government led to the acceptance fee increase, from N35,000 to N50,500.
Adelola also lamented the prolonged delay in releasing results, which often takes up to a year for semester results to be made available. This delay significantly affects the academic performance of students, especially with regards to preparing for subsequent exams.
The students attempted to engage in a dialogue with the polytechnic’s Rector, Adeoye Odedeji, but their efforts proved futile due to his unavailability. As a result, they demanded an immediate reversal of the acceptance fee hike and the urgent release of outstanding results.
Another student, Olamide Ojelade, expressed concerns that if the increase in the acceptance fee is tolerated, it could lead to an increase in school fees in the future.
The institution’s Public Relations Officer, Yemi Ajibola, stated that the students did not formally communicate their grievances to the school, making it challenging for the management to address their concerns. Ajibola emphasized the importance of the students conveying their grievances through appropriate channels for resolution.
