UNIJOS Students Protest Proposed Hike in Tuition Fees

By Jide Afolabi

Students of University of Jos staged a peaceful protest on Friday against proposed hike in tuition fees by the management of the institution.

The students who gathered in their numbers in front of the Students Union Building at the University’s Main Campus along Bauchi road led by the Students Union President, Com. Sidney Daman stated that the proposed increment in school fees is insensitive.

Addressing students during the protest, Sidney said “an increase in school fees at this recession period by the management is most insensitive and unacceptable”.

He denied the allegation by the school authority stating that the increment has been approved by the parents/guardians, stakeholders and the Students’ Union. He stated that the stakeholders meeting held by the school recently with “selected parents/guardian was a rubber stamped mere arrangement to endorse their satanic agenda”.

He affirmed further that students under his leadership would never endorse such as it is a ploy to “send children of the poor out of school”.

The school authority led by its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sabastian Seddi Maimako who assumed office on June 23, 2016 had proposed school fees increase from 27, 000 naira to 45, 000.

Other students who spoke to CityMirrorNews expressed disappointment at the proposed hike stating that the economic situation of the country should be basis for any increment in fees. They noted that such action when they cannot afford feed themselves is unfortunate. They asserted that they are not ready for it and would continue to protest until the proposed hike is cancelled.

The students recalled how they had running battles with the immediate past VC, Prof. Hayward Mafuyai who according to them had “penchant for fees increment”. They concluded that they would not succumb to the “threats, pressure and harassment” of the Maimako administration.