The Lagos State Chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students has rejected the Federal College of Education (Technical) Akoka’s decision to impose a fine of N10,000 on each student to cover damage to the school property incurred during a violent protest in July 2024.
The union, in a letter dated October 25, 2024, obtained by our correspondent on Monday, condemned the N10,000 surcharge, describing the decision as a “significant shock” and “unfair and insensitive, particularly in light of the current economic climate.”
Sources reported that in an internal memorandum dated October 24, 2024, signed by the school’s registrar, Rasheed Dada, and addressed to the college community, the management mandated that each student should pay a fine of N10,000 as one of the conditions before resumption.
The Governing Council previously ordered an indefinite closure of the institution following violence that erupted over a leadership dispute involving the provost.
In July, videos surfaced showing protesting students vandalising the official vehicles of governing council members, who reportedly narrowly escaped physical assault.
The students stated that their protests were a reaction to inadequate campus welfare and the treatment they received from the school’s former provost, Wahab Azeez.
A student, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of victimsation, sent a voice note to our correspondent claiming that police officers “came and started shooting at the students.”
The student also alleged that the school management had invited the police to the campus.
“During the meeting, they started throwing tear gas canisters. The provost ordered them to throw tear gas canisters, and they arrested some staff (members). They were beating the staff (members),” he alleged.
Azeez, who has now been ordered to step aside and be replaced by Isaac Miller, claimed in an interview with our correspondent that staff members vying for his position were inciting the students against him.
In announcing the start of documentation and registration for the resumption of academic activities set for Monday, Dada indicated that full academic activities would commence on Monday, November 4, 2024.
The registrar noted that before students could return for full academic activities, they must provide “a letter of good behaviour and character from a parent, guardian, or religious leader,” as well as a “court-endorsed affidavit of good behaviour and character signed at a magistrate or high court from any town in Nigeria.”
“Payment N10,000 as a surcharge for damages of college properties to the bursary TSA account with its receipt.”
In response to the decision, the state chapter of the students’ union stated in the letter that the fine was ill-timed and “unacceptable.”
The letter read, “Families across Nigeria are grappling with soaring living costs, and many are struggling to afford basic needs, including food and essential supplies.
“It not only fails to address the root causes of the unrest but also penalises all students collectively, irrespective of their involvement or lack thereof in the incident.
“Collective punishment of this nature disregards due process and overlooks the underlying reasons that led to students’ demands and frustrations.”
The students further warned the college management that failure to meet the their demands could lead to another protest.
“In light of these concerns, we strongly urge the college management to reconsider and reverse this imposed fee.
“A failure to take immediate corrective action may leave us with no choice but to initiate a peaceful protest aimed at addressing this injustice and amplifying students’ voices,” the statement added.
