Students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, Ogun State, have trooped out to protest the hike in acceptance fees for newly admitted students, delay in release of results, and shortage of staff.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the students made their displeasure known through a protest on Monday.
They held placards with inscriptions such as #No To Increment of Tuition Fee, #Rector Must Go, and #Release our Result ASAP.
The Students Union Governor, Babatunde Adelola, alleged that the management had hiked the acceptance fee from N35,000 to N50,500, citing inadequate subsidy from the state government.
He also lamented the delay in the release of results, which he said had affected the academic performances of students.
“For instance, those who graduated last session are yet to be mobilised for service,” Adelola said. “I am in HND 2 second semester and I am yet to see the result of the exams I did in HND 1 second semester. This is affecting students because they do not know their academic standing and how well to prepare for next exams.”
Adelola added that the student body had tried to dialogue with the Rector, Adeoye Odedeji, but he had been unavailable.
“We requested to meet the Rector through the DSA but we were told that he is not available,” he said. “They gave us another appointment again which they did not honour. Last Monday when the non-academic staff decided to protest was when they asked us to meet again but it also failed.”
Another student, Olamide Ojelade, expressed fear that the increase in acceptance fees could also lead to an increase in school fees.
“The acceptance used to be N25,500 before it was increased to N35,000 and now it has been increased to N50,500,” Ojelade said. “Before they increase school fees again, that is why we are protesting.”
Reacting to the protest, the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Yemi Ajibola, said that the students had not informed the school of their grievances.
“The management is not aware of their grievances because they did not inform us of any reason why they are protesting,” Ajibola said. “The management needs to be informed of what their grievances are for the management to be able to sit and deliberate on it. If they channel their grievances appropriately, it will be attended to.”
