UNIJOS Students Protest Hike in Fees

Students of the University of Jos, yesterday, staged a peaceful demonstration against alleged 150 percent increase in fees by the school’s management. The placard-carrying students took over the main gate of the Bauchi Road Campus of the university as early as 8am, condemning the increase and demanding a reversal.

Some of the placards read: Daylight rape; Our parents are government workers and have not been paid; Many parents cannot afford the increase, among others. Acting President of the Student Union Government, SUG, of the institution, Nanlop Maya, who led the protest, said the increase amounted to “commercialisation of education” and a demonstration of “the insensitivity of the school management to students’ plight.”

She said efforts to meet with management to discuss the matter were rebuffed, adding “I led a delegation of the students’ union body to negotiate with the deputy vice-chancellor, academics, over the increment in fees.

“However, we were denied audience. To my surprise, he said a mere student cannot interact with him.” Registrar of the university, Mr. Jilli Dandam, who addressed the protesting students, promised to take their grievances to management.

He said: “I am speaking to you in my capacity as a father and the registrar of this institution. I will take back your protest to management.”