Students at the University of Ibadan (UI) are up in arms over the university management’s recent decision to extend the deadline for fee payments by three weeks. The extension, announced on August 29th, comes in response to ongoing student protests against a hike in school fees.

Initially, students were required to pay their fees by September 5th. However, after discussions between university officials and student representatives, including Student Union President Aweda Bolaji, the deadline was extended to accommodate those struggling with the new fees. Despite this concession, students have rejected the extension and are demanding a full reversal of the fee increase.

The protests began on August 29th and show no sign of abating. Students have called for a complete boycott of classes until their demands are met. They are also leveraging social media to amplify their message, encouraging peers to use hashtags such as #UIFEESMUSTFALL and #SAVEUITES to spread awareness and rally support.

The students’ demands are clear: they want the increased fees rolled back and the school fees portal shut down within 24 hours until their demands are addressed. The protests will continue until the university meets their conditions, reflecting deep dissatisfaction with the current fee structure and a commitment to pushing for significant changes.

The university administration, led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Kayode Omobowale, faces mounting pressure as students organize and mobilize both on campus and online. The situation remains fluid, with students determined to use every available platform to ensure their voices are heard and their demands are met.