LThe Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) has taken the unprecedented step of indefinitely postponing the resumption of students for the 2023/2024 academic session, following a wave of student protests triggered by alleged fee hikes.
In an official statement released on Monday, Mr. Adegbenro Adebanjo, the Director of Corporate Communication at FUTA, confirmed the management’s decision.
The university has also issued a directive for all students currently residing on campus and in university hostels to vacate within 24 hours.
Adebanjo clarified that the registration and fee payment process for returning students, initially scheduled to commence on Monday, has been suspended.
He emphasized that the university’s portal has not been opened for returning students for the new session, debunking public speculation.
Responding to the uproar, the university spokesperson refuted claims of an increase in school fees, maintaining that tuition remains free.
He clarified that any proposed new fees are associated with student-related services, whose costs are influenced by the broader economic environment.
The statement explained, “To ensure the smooth running of the university, certain consumables and payments for municipal services such as electricity, water, hostel maintenance and cleaning, and sundry other services are necessary.
And the costs of providing the services have shot up, and the new charges are in response to this.”
The management reiterated its commitment to free tuition for all students and emphasized an existing mechanism within the system to address matters affecting students, including charges and fees.
They assured that the mechanism is actively working on this issue, aiming to achieve consensus.
Earlier, FUTA students had organized a peaceful protest, alleging an increase in school fees amid the economic challenges facing the country.
The President of FUTA Student Union Government, Mr. Oluwasoromidayo Olayemi, urged the university management to revert to the previous fee structure.
Olayemi claimed that the last fee increment occurred less than a year ago, with the new alleged hike affecting both new and returning students.
The student union president vowed that the peaceful protest would persist until the university addressed the fee concerns and reverted to the previous fee structure.
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