Following persistent protests by students against the University of Lagos (UNILAG)’s recent fee increase, the university management has made concessions.
In response to demands made during a meeting with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), UNILAG has decided to implement micro fee reductions.
UNILAG had initially announced a fee hike set to take effect on September 1, with sessional mandatory charges for new undergraduate students ranging from ₦126,325 for courses without labs or studios to ₦176,325 for courses involving laboratory or studio use.
Returning students faced charges from ₦100,750 to ₦140,250 based on lab or studio access, while medical students were required to pay ₦190,250.
Protests and negotiations
These hikes, perceived by many as exceeding 600%, triggered protests beginning on September 6.
UNILAG’s Public Relations Officer, Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, confirmed that the institution had granted some fee reductions. Utility charges for all students dropped from ₦20,000 to ₦15,000.
Mandatory fees for new undergraduate students decreased from ₦126,325 to ₦116,325 (courses without lab/studio) and ₦176,325 to ₦166,325 (courses with lab/studio).
Returning undergraduate students also saw reductions from ₦100,750 to ₦80,750 (courses without lab/studio), ₦140,250 to ₦120,250 (courses with lab/studio), and ₦190,250 to ₦170,250 (medical/pharmacy and health professions students).
Final-year students’ convocation fees were lowered from ₦30,000 to ₦27,000.
In addition to fee adjustments, the meeting yielded resolutions, including the reinstatement of UNILAG’s student union government, which had been dissolved in 2016.
