NAUS condemns ‘exorbitant’ tuition fee hike at University of Ilesa
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo
The National Association of University Students (NAUS), Osun State Campus Monitoring Committee, has strongly condemned the steep increase in tuition fees at the University of Ilesa, describing it as unjustifiable and burdensome.
The tuition fee, which previously stood at N290,000, has reportedly been raised to N1.5 million—a move that NAUS argues is detrimental to the educational aspirations of students, especially those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
In a statement issued on Monday in Osogbo, the chairman of the NAUS Campus Monitoring Committee, Comrade Popoola Olayinka, demanded an immediate reversal of the fee hike to its previous rate.
Olayinka noted that the University of Ilesa, formerly the Osun State College of Education, was upgraded to provide affordable higher education to students.
However, he asserted that the new tuition fee structure contradicts this objective, placing undue financial strain on students and their families.
“The National Association of University Students (NAUS), Osun State Campus Monitoring Committee, under the leadership of Comr. Popoola Olayinka (aka Itesiwaju), unequivocally condemns the recent draconian hike in tuition fees at the University of Ilesa, Osun State,” the statement read.
“This unwarranted increase directly contradicts the governor’s earlier commitments to ensuring accessible and affordable quality education for the citizens of Osun State.
“The University of Ilesa was upgraded with the promise of providing affordable higher education, particularly to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“However, this sudden and severe fee hike represents a betrayal of the trust placed in the state government by the students and the broader Osun populace.
“At a time when citizens are already grappling with economic challenges, including high inflation, currency devaluation, and widespread unemployment, this decision only exacerbates their hardships.”
NAUS outlined its demands as follows:
- Immediate Reversal of Tuition Fees: Restore the fees to the previous rates to ease the burden on students and their families.
- Adequate Funding for the University: Ensure the institution is well-funded to fulfill its mandate without financially overburdening students.
- Transparency in Financial Management: Publish a detailed breakdown of the university’s budget to justify any future adjustments to fees.
The association urged the state government and university management to act swiftly to address the issue and reaffirm their commitment to affordable education in Osun State.
