Ekiti State University Closed Over Protest

Ekiti State University Student Protest

Authorities of the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, yesterday closed down the institution due to a protest embarked upon by students over school fees.

Students of the institution had a few days ago boycotted lectures, which prompted the school's management to announce a two- week mid semester break to enable the students settle their fees.

Students yesterday barricaded a way which leads to the campus through the busy Ado-Iworoko-Ifaki Road, thereby preventing lecturers and other staff members of the institution access to the campus.

Weekly Trust gathered that the students are clamouring for the reduction of their school fees from between N85,000 and N150,000 to N50,000 as publicly announced by Governor Kayode Fayemi.

In a statement, the university's Vice- Chancellor, Professor Patrick Aina, ordered the suspension of academic activities till May 20, when the students are expected to resume after a break.

The statement also warned that students who refuse to complete their school fee payment before the resumption date will not be allowed to enter the campus or attend lectures.

The vice-chancellor stated that the condition for resumption and re-absorption of students after the break will include evidence of full payment of all outstanding school fees and evidence of registration for the current session.

Students were further told that their continuous assessment examination would begin on May 27.

However, the vice- chancellor's directive contradicts the outcome of a meeting between the students and the vice -chancellor after an earlier parley with Governor Fayemi.

A statement by the Students' Transition Committee Chairman, Mr. Adeoye Aribasoye, informed that the governor agreed to the students' request for payment in installments.

He said the governor promised to intervene in the matter and agreed that the registration period be extended by three weeks.

The student leader said it was also agreed at the meetings that the university's Senate would sit to reconsider the "No school fees, no lecture" policy of the institution.