Students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Idi-Araba campus, Lagos State, have embarked on a protest to lament the hike in the tariff in hostel fees.

Students from the College of Medicine and the Faculty of Pharmacy are the ones most affected.

According to SaharaReporters, the protests were triggered by the school management’s decision to raise hostel fees to ₦80,000 for two semesters and ₦100,000 for a full academic year, a significant jump from the previous fee of ₦65,000, which had been agreed upon in the previous session.

Chanting slogans like “Change the memo, we no dey go,” the students voiced their anger and demanded a reversal of the fee increase.

They expressed disappointment over the management’s decision to impose higher fees despite prior agreements.

In response, UNILAG authorities issued an eviction order, instructing students to vacate the hostels, escalating the already tense situation on campus.

Defiant protesters have refused to leave, insisting their demands be met before considering any move.

Police officers have been deployed to the protest site to ensure the situation does not escalate further, though tensions remain high as students urge the school to reduce the proposed fees and listen to their grievances.

A letter, signed by Principal Assistant Secretary of the Students Affairs Unit, Olusegun Akinnagbe, directed students to vacate the hostels, despite having paid the full year’s fees.

The notice reads, “Notice of Vacation of the Hostel to Non-Medical Graduating & Undergraduate Students of the College of Medicine and Faculty of Pharmacy

“Further to our notice reference: CM/SA/D/17/VOL.1 dated 16th October, 2024 with respect to the above subject, Management has directed as follows.

“Any student who is desirous of staying in the hostel pending the defense of his/her project, industrial attachment or any other valid reason must apply in writing through his/her Head of Department through the Dean to the Provost.

“It is compulsory to state the length of stay in the hostel. Applications must reach the Students Affairs Office latest by Monday, 28th October, 2024.”

Akinnagbe also noted that students granted approval to stay would be charged a fee, prorated accordingly.

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