Tension surrounding the controversial ₦8,000 BIO 107 practical manual fee has begun to ease following sustained agitation by students and intervention from the Students’ Union, marking a significant moment in ongoing conversations about academic charges and student welfare on campus. What started as widespread frustration among Part One students over what many described as an unjustifiable cost has now resulted in a partial victory, as the Union secured both a refund and a price reduction after consultations with the Department of Biological Sciences.
In an official statement titled Resumption of BIO 107 Practicals, Refunds and Revised Manual Fee, the Students’ Union announced that students who had earlier paid ₦8,000 for the BIO 107 practical manual would be reimbursed with ₦ 2,000, while the price of the manual has been reviewed downward to ₦6,000 with immediate effect. The Union further confirmed that all BIO 107 practical sessions would proceed as scheduled and encouraged students to attend their classes while reporting any form of extortion or undue pressure around campus to the Welfare Office.
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The announcement follows days of intense backlash from students, particularly freshmen, who questioned the rationale behind the original fee. These concerns were earlier captured in a report by ACJOAU, which highlighted complaints about the affordability of the manual and the perceived lack of value compared to similar academic materials.
Reacting to the new development, Omotele Florish and Nnani Mariam, Part One Medicine and Surgery students, confirmed that the revised ₦6,000 price has already been implemented. According to them, students who initially paid the ₦8,000 fee through their class representative are currently awaiting a ₦2,000 refund, with arrangements already underway. However, they expressed reservations about the new price, noting that the manual still does not feel commensurate with what was provided. They compared it with other manuals, such as GST, PHY and MTH materials, which often include additional learning resources like past questions. Despite these concerns, they acknowledged the effort of the Students’ Union in pushing for a reduction.
Similarly, Favour Ajayi and Aderinsola Dare, Part One Microbiology students, confirmed that the price adjustment has taken effect within their department, though they maintained that ₦6,000 remains high. They explained that while practicals had already commenced yesterday, some students have yet to receive their refunds, with assurances that the process will be handled by the Head of Department. They also commended the Students’ Union for intervening, even as they admitted that further reductions may no longer be feasible now that practical sessions are underway.
As students resume their practicals, attention now shifts to whether promised refunds will be promptly delivered and whether similar disputes can be avoided in the future.