The Ekiti State University (EKSU) in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria, was brought to a standstill on Tuesday by protesting students who were demonstrating against the introduction of late registration fees by the institution’s management.
The demonstration, which began as early as 7 am, prevented vehicular movements in and out of the university for several hours, causing a significant disruption to academic and vehicular activities.
The protesting students carried placards with various inscriptions, with one reading: “Late registration fees should be for a school whose school fee is 20k/30k not for students whose school fee is N200k and above.”
According to the public relations officer of the students union, Abiodun Emmanuel, the exorbitant school fees with other charges in the state-owned university were already excruciating for the students, and the introduction of late registration fees was viewed as another form of extortion.
The deputy vice-chancellor (Academics) Professor Ayodele Babatope addressed the protesting students, stating that the late registration fee was introduced following the students’ refusal to comply with the directive to register early for academic activities.
He disclosed that the penalty fee was reduced from N10,000 to N5,000 after an outcry from the student leaders and that stakeholders would soon meet to find a lasting solution to the issue.
In response to the protest, the management of the university, through its vice-chancellor, Professor Edward Olanipekun, announced the closure of the institution for two weeks, effective from Tuesday, April 11, 2023.
The head of the directorate of information and corporate affairs, Bode Olofinmuagun, released a statement directing all students of the university to vacate the campus premises immediately and not to be seen within the campus premises for the next two weeks.
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