By Hallimah Olamide
Following a meeting with the representatives of the National Association of Nigerian Students on Thursday, the management of the University of Lagos, has announced the reduction of its earlier released fees.
A statement released and made available on Friday morning revealed that the university management granted micro fee cuts to the students who have been demanding a reversal of the hike.
In July, UNILAG announced an upward review in its fees meant to take effect from September 1.
This put the sessional mandatory charges for new undergraduate students at ₦126,325 for courses without a lab/studio and ₦176,325 for one academic session for courses that use a laboratory or studio.
The sessional mandatory charges for returning students were put at ₦100,750 for courses without labs and studios while that of courses with access to labs and studios were fixed at ₦140,250.
UNILAG also said the approved charge for all medical students of the institution is ₦190,250.
For many, these rates amounted to a hike of over 600%.
However, Ogunsola, stressed that the aim of the University was to deliver quality education to its students regardless of class, tribe or creed.
“Authorities of the University of Lagos led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, on Thursday, September 14, 2023, had a meeting with the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Comrade Usman Umar Barambu accompanied by top officers of the Association and UNILAG Faculty leaders drawn from nine faculties of the University and College of Medicine,” said the statement
“After careful evaluation of the issues raised by the students and management, the following consensus was reached at the meeting: Utility Charges for all categories of students was reduced to N15,000:00 from N20,000:00.
“The obligatory fees for new undergraduate students was reviewed from N126,325:00 to N116,325:00 for Courses without Lab/Studio and N176,325:00 to N166,325:00 for Courses with Lab/Studio.
“The obligatory fees for returning undergraduate students was reviewed from N100,750:00 to N80,750:00 for Courses without Lab/Studio; N140,250:00 to N120,250:00 for Courses with Lab/Studio; and from N190,250:00 to N170, 250:00 for Medical / Pharmacy students and students in Health Professions.
“The Convocation Fee to be paid by all final year students was reduced to N27,000:00 from N 30,000:00. Hostels fees were reviewed as follows: For undergraduate hostels in Akoka and Yaba campuses, the fees was reduced to N43, 000:00 from N90,000:00.
“For hostels in Idi-Araba campus, the fees was reduced to N65,000:00 from N120,000:00. The fees for Sodeinde Hall was reduced to N135,000:00 from N250,000:00.”
Among the resolutions that the meeting with the university management birthed is the decision to commence the reinstatement of UNILAG’s student union government, which was dissolved in 2016.