It was the evening of 21st, December, 2023. I was on night duty on my community health posting at a Primary Health Centre, the holiday and celebration were just a few days away. I was seated with my mates at the reception, using our phones as usual. Don’t worry, we were not negligent. There were no patients around!
Anyway, I went to my department’s WhatsApp group because there were a lot of messages there and I was wondering what happened now. Then I saw a cropped screenshot of the payment section on a Nursing student’s portal. Our #160,500 fee has been tripled to #450,000! Over 170% increase!
At first, I thought it was a cleverly designed graphic aimed at deceiving the student populace. But, as time went on, I kept seeing similar screenshots of the payment portals of students in other departments and faculties. Their fees have been increased as well. But, I was still in denial as I had not seen the increment on my own portal. The results were being released and in situations like that, it’s always difficult to get access to the portal. I was only able to fully believe it after seeing it on my portal when I finally accessed it a day later.
Other Basic Medical Sciences departments that pay a sum of #100,000- #120,000 became #300,000. Faculty of Medicine that used to pay #187,000 are expected to pay #550,000. A sum above half a million! The least amount I could see was #275,000 from #99,712. A public, state-owned university imposing this kind of ridiculously high amounts on the students and their parents/guardians in the bad economic situation in Nigeria is just not right.
I, as a student from a middle-class home was aggrieved at this increment because the next thing on my mind was how my parents would be able to afford this amount. I said as much to my coursemates on night duty with me. We started complaining and crying out at the unfairness of it all to the extent that the PHC staff asked what the matter was!
That night, so many students were speaking out and the hashtag, #oouwhy started trending on X formerly called, Twitter. Students were calling on the necessary officials, demanding an explanation, anything, really. But it was futile. I was glad to see the student associations rising up to the occasion and fighting for the students’ rights, especially the Students’ Union Government.
In addition to this, students were barred from accessing their results until they paid the increased fees. However, that was removed soon enough when the students cried out.
The SUG called for a meeting with the Vice Chancellor on the 27th of December and I was able to listen to it through Instagram and X. I heard different students airing their grievances and how they couldn’t afford the amount. The VC then said the increment was necessary because of the recent hike in prices in Nigeria, which was understandable, but not a 170% increase!
In the days following the meeting, the school officials removed #100,000 from the fees, but it still was not enough. As a Nursing Student, my fee is now #350,000, but it’s still a huge burdensome amount.
Now, as I’m writing this, the school refuses to budge from the #100,000 deduction and the SUG is still trying to fight for the rights of the students.
During the last semester, there have been rumors of the school increasing the fees, but I guessed it would be at most, a #100,000 increment. There were repairs, and repainting going around the school and I felt suspicious. I guess my suspicions were right, but even I couldn’t have guessed the amount would be this high.
I was really annoyed at this increment because;
- They didn’t even do the courtesy of sending out a memo beforehand and to inform us.
- They didn’t take our financial status or mental health status into consideration. Dropping a bomb like that on us!
- The officials refused to give an outline of what they use our fees for. Even if we’re paying #5, we have a right to know what we’re paying for.
As of now, I see some OOU students already soliciting funds online as the burden is just too much on them. Some are considering submitting a leave of absence form while some are considering dropping out.
Education is the key to a better life, a RIGHT not a privilege. I believe I have a right to study without being burdened by a fee close to half a million. I believe I can be poor and still have the opportunity to get a tertiary education.
I implore the SUG not to stop their arduous fight against the school.
I implore the school to be considerate of the students and their families. Yes, the school needs more money, but tripling the fees out of the blue is just not fair.
I’m sure the school and the students can reach a middle point beneficial to the school and the students. The school can keep up with its upkeep and the students can continue their education with a slight increment in their fees.
#saveooustudentsfromdroppingout
#educationisaright
#letthepoorbreathe
Oduniyi Aishat A.
400L, Nursing Science
I'm Aishat Oduniyi, a Muslim 400L Nursing Student with a passion for writing, reading(I read over 300
books in a year!), everything Halal and supporting just causes. I see myself as a budding activist and a
volunteer. I'm working hard to be better at both.
Some see me as a Feminist, but I'm not. I champion rights of both men and women. I just talk about
Women's right more. I also have a quite unique way of thinking. Trust me, you would be very surprised if
I share one of them with you. Whether it will be good or bad depends on you.
If you don't see me writing or reading, then I'm studying the course I chose for myself.