
25/09/2023
SUG PRESIDENT NMOYE ISRAEL BLOCKS "UNIBEN'S WATER FOUNTAIN OF BILLING"
▪︎ Uniben SUG Facilitates the Reversal of Tution Increment...*
▪︎ SUG encourages students to pay Tution on time.
In a striking display of unity and determination, the University of Benin's student community recently rallied together to address a sudden tuition fee increase by the university's management. Led by the dynamic and proactive UNIBEN SUG President, Nmoye Israel, student leaders and representatives negotiated with the university's management to find an equitable solution for all parties involved.
The backdrop to this issue was the University of Benin Management's decision to increase school fees for both newly admitted students and returning students. Citing the escalating costs of operating the institution and reduced financial support from the federal government, the management argued that tuition hikes were an unavoidable necessity, affecting not only UNIBEN but also federal universities nationwide.
Undaunted by this challenge, student leaders from various fronts, including the Student Union Government (SUG), faculty governors, mayors, and speakers, took swift action to advocate for their fellow students. The key demands put forward during negotiations were:
1. *Reduction of the Proposed Tuition Fee Increase*: The students insisted on a substantial reduction in the initially proposed ₦190,000 increment.
2. *Exemption of Staylite Students*: The increment should not include staylite students.
3. *Scholarship Scheme for Indigent Students*: The creation of a platform to identify indigent students and establish a scholarship scheme for them.
4. *Installment Payment Option*: Activation of installment payment plans to ease the financial burden on students and their families.
In a commendable display of leadership and compromise, both the university's management and the students' representatives reached an agreement on June 30, 2023. The school fees for newly admitted students were reduced from ₦190,000 to ₦105,000-₦115,000 for the first payment and ₦85,000-₦95,000 for subsequent payments. Importantly, there was no increase in tuition fees for returning students.
However, the unity and determination displayed by the UNIBEN students were put to the test on September 19, 2023, when returning students discovered an unexpected increase in their school fees. The fees were raised from ₦41,000-₦45,000 to ₦81,000-₦85,000, sparking immediate outrage.
In response to this development, the student leaders, spearheaded by the SUG President, Nmoye Israel, acted swiftly. They issued a memo expressing their disappointment with the management's actions and called on all students to refrain from making any payments.
A subsequent march to the Dean of Students' office was organized, where the students demanded a complete reversal of the fee increment. An 8-hour ultimatum was issued to resolve the matter.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the SUG convened an emergency General Assembly at Hall 2 car park, bringing together students, faculty executives, departmental executives, faculty speakers, departmental speakers, mayors, class representatives, and concerned UNIBEN students. This assembly gave a collective voice to the students, and they demanded an immediate reversal of the fee increment.
Following the General Assembly, the students, led by their representatives, embarked on a peaceful walk to the Vice Chancellor's office to emphasize the importance of upholding the earlier agreement between the students and the university's management.
In response to the students' protests, the management appealed for calm and initiated discussions within the Senate Chambers. During these discussions, the management issued an apology to both the students and the SUG for the breach of the initial agreement. They clarified that the fee increment was necessitated by the removal of fuel subsidies, which had a severe impact on the university's finances. The management also highlighted the dire state of funding for universities in Nigeria, leading to fee increases across the country. Eventually, the management acceded to the students' demands and removed the fee increment from the kofa page.
_On September 22, 2023, a meeting was called between the management and student leaders, including the SUG Joint Council, faculty executives, departmental executives, mayors' forum, and class representatives. Led by Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Professor Ray Ozuola, and the university's Bursar, Dr. Victor Imagbe, the management again apologized and stressed the necessity of the fee increment due to economic constraints. They proposed a reduced increment of ₦30,000, which would result in tuition fees of ₦70,000 for non-sciences and ₦75,000 for sciences.
However, the student representatives remained steadfast, insisting on a complete reversal of the fee increment. Despite extensive negotiations, the meeting ended in a deadlock.
A second General Assembly was convened on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at the LT1 medical complex, which included concerned UNIBEN students and stakeholders, including past SUG presidents. During this assembly, students expressed their frustration and called for a more reasonable fee increment. After extensive deliberations, the students reached a consensus:
1. *Fee Increment Range*: The increment should not exceed ₦10,000-₦15,000.
2. *Installment Payments*: Activating installment payment options to alleviate the financial burden on students.
3. *Scholarship Grants*: Establishing a scholarship program for genuinely indigent students.
4. *Work-Study Scheme*: Introducing an improved work-study scheme that allows students to work after school hours and receive compensation from the university.
Following these deliberations, the students mandated their representatives to convey their demands to the management.
On September 23, 2023, student representatives met with the university's management, presenting the students' requests and emphasizing the need for a more reasonable fee increment. Despite initial resistance, the management ultimately compromised by reducing the increment from ₦40,000 to ₦15,000, representing a 37.5 percent increment. This decision was reached through extensive discussions and engagement with the university community.
These resolutions were made collectively through open discussions at the General Assemblies, reflecting the students' desire for a fair compromise that takes into account the economic challenges facing both the institution and the students themselves.
In these challenging times, the University of Benin's student community has demonstrated remarkable unity and resilience. The negotiations and compromises reached between the student leaders and the university's management stand as a testament to the power of collective action and the pursuit of a brighter future for all UNIBEN students.
-Beloved Itobiye Reporting...
ZankuGist Media
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