The Students’ Union of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has taken action against a recent arbitrary increase in school fees by urging 11 commercial banks to cease accepting fee payments from OAU students. The union has warned that if the banks fail to comply with their request, it could result in a confrontation between student leaders and the financial institutions.
The letter, dated September 15, 2023, was jointly signed by Abbas Akinremi Ojo, Chairman, and Akinboni Opeyemi, Secretary-General of the Students’ Union Government.
The banks instructed not to accept fee payments include Access Bank, Diamond Bank, Ecobank Plc, FCMB, First Bank, Fidelity Bank, GTBank, Polaris Bank, Union Bank, Wema Bank, and Zenith Bank.
This decisive action by the Students’ Union stems from their deep concern over the recent fee hike implemented by OAU, which has sparked widespread dissatisfaction among the student community. The union firmly believes that this increase was executed without good faith and stands in direct contradiction to directives issued by the House of Representatives, the Presidency, and the Federal Ministry of Education, all of which called for a halt to fee hikes in federal universities.
In response to the fee increase, the students’ congress passed a resolution recommending that financial institutions should refuse to accept fee payments from OAU students until the university reverses the fee hike.
The Students’ Union firmly believes that by halting fee payments through the banks, they can encourage the university management to engage in constructive dialogue with the student body and promptly reverse the controversial fee increase.
The Students’ Union has made its expectations clear, seeking cooperation from the banks while sternly warning that any failure to comply with their directive will lead to a potential confrontation between the students and the financial institutions.