By Umar Yunusa
There is palpable tension among students of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, University, Lapai, IBBUL, following an upward review of tuition fees by the institution.
The university management had on Tuesday released a circular, informing the student community that the governing council of the institution had approved the reviewed school fees for all students of the institution effective 2020/2021 academic session.
According to the circular, obtained by DAILY NIGERIAN on Wednesday, returning students (indigene) are to pay N67,925, while new students (indigene) are to pay N129,675.
The circular, signed by the university’s Registrar, M.A Abdullahi, added that non-indigene students (returning) are to pay N171,325 while new students (non-indigene) are to pay N201,210.
Our correspondent gathered that before now, returning students (indigene) used to pay N27,500 while new students (indigene) were paying N52,500.
Non-indigene students (returning) were paying N55,000 while new students (non-indigene) used to pay N93,000.
“This is to inform the general public, particularly parents, guardians, new and returning students of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai, that the governing council at its 50th regular meeting Tuesday, 1st June 2021 has approved the reviewed school fees for all students of the institution effective 2020/2021 academic session.
“Accordingly, the Senate at its 89th regular meeting, held on Thursday, 29th July, 2021 has approved the academic calendar for 2020/2021 academic session. Both new and returning students are to commence registration on 16th August, 2021. Late registration will attract additional charges,” the circular said.
Tension among students
Our correspondent gathered that the student union of the institution has finalised plans to stage a protest in the school on Thursday.
A 300 level student of Sociology, Abubakar Sadiq, condemned the hike in the fees, saying that the action “is dangerous to our educational system”.
“It may lead to rise in the number of drop-outs. It may also lead to criminality by students,” Mr Sadiq added.
He therefore urged the university’s SUG to intervene as matter of urgency and negotiate with the management.
Another student, A’isha Isha, a 400 level Biological Sciences, said “the new tuition fees are humongous, considering the recession and hike in the prices of other commodities”.
While lamenting, Ms Isha said: “My mum sponsored three of my siblings including me. Where will she see the money to pay this huge amount of fees?”
Salihu Nma Aliyu, a 300 level student of Business Administration, told DAILY NIGERIAN that the increase in the fees came as a shock to him.
Abubakar Usman, a 300 level student of Agriculture, who claimed to be sponsoring himself, said: “I don’t have anything to say other than to say there is God”.
When DAILY NIGERIAN contacted the Registrar of the institution, Mr Abdullahi, confirmed the hike, saying that the action was approved by the university’s Senate.
