Protests erupted on Monday at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Effurun, in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, as students took to the streets over an alleged plan by the university management to increase tuition fees.
The students, in large numbers, barricaded the ever-busy East-West Road and all major access routes leading to the university, disrupting vehicular movement and causing heavy gridlock for several hours.
Bearing placards with various inscriptions, the protesters chanted solidarity songs and marched along the highway, demanding that the school management rescind the alleged decision to raise fees.
However, the Students’ Union Government (SUG) has distanced itself from the protest, describing it as spontaneous and unapproved.
Speaking in a telephone conversation with reporters, SUG President, Edemakiota Etiosa, said the union was not part of the protest and had been engaging the school management through proper channels.
“No, we are not part of the protest. I have spoken with the students and asked them to calm down. I have already communicated their grievances to the management, but it feels like both sides have put me in the middle. Honestly, it’s exhausting,” he said.
Reacting to the development, Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ezekiel Oghenenyerovwo Agbalagba, who spoke from Abuja, described those leading the protest as “faceless individuals” not recognised by the SUG or the university authorities.
According to him, the management has not approved any new fee regime and discussions with the student leadership are still ongoing.
“We have held about five meetings with the SUG on the issue of reviewing charges, but we have not concluded. Someone apparently got hold of a draft document from our discussions and circulated it online as the new school fees. That information is false,” Prof. Agbalagba explained.
He added that all negotiations regarding the proposed fee adjustment have been temporarily suspended until after the ongoing examinations.
“We agreed to resume talks next week after exams. This morning, I heard they blocked the road, but even the SUG president has disclaimed involvement. These people are unknown to us. I am releasing an official memo in the next few minutes to clarify the situation,” he added.
The Vice Chancellor also dismissed reports circulating on social media suggesting that the university had finalised and approved a new fee schedule. He described such claims as politically motivated attempts to tarnish the image of his administration.
“Those posts online are not from the university management. Some individuals may be trying to exploit the situation for their own interests. We know the proper dialogue channel and the SUG is aware of where discussions ended,” Prof. Agbalagba stated.
He revealed that students were expected to complete their examinations the following day, warning that if the issue was not properly managed before the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike expected next week, the situation could deteriorate further.
“If we do not manage this properly before next week, the situation could worsen,” he cautioned.
Meanwhile, the university management released an official statement signed by the Registrar, Dr. (Mrs.) J. One Omayine, debunking the claims of a fee hike.
“The attention of Management has been drawn to a document circulating on social media, purportedly containing the students’ charges for the 2025/2026 academic session. That document did not emanate from the University, and students are advised to disregard it,” the statement read.
The management further appealed to students to remain calm and continue with their academic activities, assuring them that no decision on new charges had been taken by the institution’s Governing Council.
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It also reiterated its commitment to maintaining open dialogue with the students’ representatives, adding that any approved changes would be properly communicated through official university channels.
As of press time, normalcy had yet to fully return to the area, though security personnel were reportedly deployed to prevent further disruption and ensure the safety of lives and property around the university campus.
