The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) located in Ile-Ife, Osun State, has unveiled significant changes in tuition fees for both new and returning students set to take effect in the upcoming 2023/2024 academic session.
This move places OAU among several federal universities that have raised tuition fees, sparking concerns among students.
According to the announcement, made by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, students in the Faculties of Arts, Law, and Humanities will face adjusted fees.
New students within these faculties are now required to pay N151,200, while returning students will be charged N89,200.
In contrast, new students enrolling in the faculties of Pharmacy and the College of Health Sciences will face higher fees, amounting to N190,200.
Returning students in these faculties will also experience an increase, with their fees set at N128,200.
The university administration emphasised that these adjustments are being implemented to establish a fair and balanced fee structure across the various faculties of the institution.
However, this move has garnered mixed reactions from students, with some expressing concerns over the affordability of higher education.
The decision to raise tuition fees aligns OAU with a broader nationwide trend, as several federal universities have recently increased their fees, causing unrest among students.
The University of Lagos, for instance, has witnessed two protests within one week, with students vehemently opposing the fee hikes imposed by the institution.
Similar sentiments have emerged at the University of Jos, where students have mobilized in large numbers to voice their discontent regarding the rising tuition fees. Students from both universities are now appealing to concerned stakeholders to intervene and address the affordability challenges faced by Nigerian students pursuing higher education.
