Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, has declared a revision in the tuition fees for its forthcoming academic year.
The universityโs Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, confirmed this decision, which was made during the Senateโs emergency meeting on September 12, 2023.
For students in the Faculties of Arts, Law, and Humanities, new entrants will be charged N151,200, while their returning counterparts will pay N89,200. Previously, returning students in these faculties paid N20,100.
Meanwhile, students in the Faculties of Technology and Science, who previously paid N28,100, will now see freshers paying N163,200 and returnees N101,200.
Additionally, new students in the College of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Pharmacy will be charged N190,200, with returning students paying N128,200.
Olarewaju assured that these adjusted fees are set for one academic session.
This announcement follows a previous report from March 24, 2023, where the universityโs College of Health Sciences introduced a N100,000 โprofessional feeโ for the next session, leading the Studentsโ Union Government to convene an emergency meeting.
Editorial:
The decision by OAU to increase tuition fees is a reflection of the broader challenges facing tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
While universities need funds to maintain and improve their facilities and services, itโs essential to consider the financial strain on students and their families.
Such decisions can impact the accessibility of quality education, potentially sidelining talented individuals due to financial constraints. Itโs crucial for educational institutions to strike a balance between financial sustainability and affordability.
Open dialogue between university management, student bodies, and other stakeholders can pave the way for solutions that cater to both the institutionโs needs and the student populationโs welfare.
Did You Know?
- Tuition fees often constitute a significant portion of a universityโs revenue, funding various operational and developmental projects.
- The Studentsโ Union plays a vital role in representing the interests and concerns of the student body, especially in matters like fee adjustments.
- OAU, established in 1962, is one of Nigeriaโs top universities, offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
- The university has a rich history of academic excellence and has produced numerous notable alumni in various fields.
- Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can provide relief to students facing financial challenges, ensuring that education remains accessible to all.
