In a gesture hailed as “administrative magnanimity,” the authorities of Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State, have taken steps to alleviate the financial strain on their students by revising various charges.
According to a statement released by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, the decision allows students to divide their payments into two equal installments. This move is aimed at providing students with more manageable financial options during their academic journey.
Meanwhile, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has issued a stern warning regarding the future of higher education in Nigeria. During an appearance on Channels TV, Prof. Osodeke expressed concerns that if the government does not intervene to curb continuous fee hikes, nearly half of university students may be forced to abandon their studies within the next two years.
The escalating cost of education, he argued, is placing an unsustainable burden on students nationwide, making it increasingly difficult for them to afford their education. “If nothing is done about these heavy fees being introduced by schools all over the country, in the next two or three years, more than 40 to 50 per cent of these children who are in school today will drop out,” warned Prof. Osodeke.
The move by Obafemi Awolowo University to ease the financial challenges faced by its students represents a step in the right direction, but broader efforts are needed to ensure that higher education remains accessible to all in Nigeria.
