OAU slashes school fees, allows instalment payment

After series of protests and agitations by students, the authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, have readjusted downward the sundry charges payable by the students of the University.

A release by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Abiodun Olarewaju, on Monday, described the institution’s decision as “a rare show of administrative magnanimity,” disclosing that the University management has agreed that the payment can be in two equal installments.

According to Olarewaju, the reduction in tuition fees followed the meeting the University management had with the leadership of the Students Union on Monday.

He said the meeting, which lasted for several hours, was called by the University management, after several agitations by the students union for a reduction of the initial charges approved by the University.

“Although the Students Union leaders were adamant that the charges be reduced by 50%, but the University management made it clear that the new charges were the minimum the University require to run efficiently.

“Accordingly, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, graciously announced that the charges initially announced have been reduced as follows:

“For the students in Humanities, the initial sundry charges of #89, 200 for returning students have been reduced to #76,000 while the new students in the Humanities, the initial fees of #151,200 have been reduced to #131,000.

“For those in the Sciences and Technology, the initial charges of #101,200, for returning students is now #86,000 while the new students in the same Faculties will now pay #141,000 instead of the initial #163,200.

“In the same vein, the returning students in the Pharmacy and College of Health Sciences will now pay #109,000, instead of #128,200. The new students in the same Faculties will now pay #164,000 instead of the initial charges of #190,000.

“Meanwhile, the University portal is now open to students for payment,” the statement read.