The Great Ife Students’ Union of Obafemi Awolowo University has expressed a strong opposition to the sudden introduction of additional sundry charges for freshmen. The university management added a ₦30,000 naira “acceptance fee” to the school fees on the e-portal, bringing the total to ₦50,000 naira, reportedly introduced last session without prior notice.
The students’ union leadership, caught off guard by the increment, has swiftly convened an emergency meeting with the school management to address the issue. According to the union officials in a press statement released on Saturday, October 26th, discussions had only centered on sundry charges and accommodation fees, with no mention of the acceptance fee.
ICYMI: School Fees: Students’ Union Secures Suspension of 50% Increment
Recall that on Sunday October 20th, the Students’ Union confirmed that the University Management was proposing a 50% or 100% increment in the School and Accommodation fee. After much deliberations with University officials at the Division of Student Affairs (DSA), the Students’ Union secured a complete suspension of the sundry charges increment.
Meanwhile, in the press statement released on October 26th, the Students’ Union Officers clarified that the University Management went ahead to add the additional sundry charges to the School fees. ‘We were not aware of this increment, and it’s unacceptable that the management would introduce such a significant charge without consultation’, the press statement stated.
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The union reassured returning students that sundry charges in their school fees remain unchanged. As the situation unfolds, the students’ union officers vowed to continue advocating for the rights of the members of the Students’ Union.
The Union Officers assured students that the Union is committed to ensuring that the voices of Great Ife students are heard. The press statement added that, ‘We will keep our students informed and work tirelessly to resolve this matter.’