http://mobile.saharareporters.com/news-page/nigerias-open-university-students-protest-huge-fee-hike


Students of the National Open University of
Nigeria (NOUN) yesterday staged a huge
demonstration to protest a sudden and
significant hike in their fees.
Some of the protesting students said they were
infuriated by a decision by NOUN’s
administration to jerk up tuition fees from N58,
000 to N115, 000.
The students demonstrated yesterday at
NOUN's study center in Benin City, capital of
Edo State. They carried placards and sang
protest songs demanding an immediate reversal
to the old fees.
Several students who spoke to a correspondent
of SaharaReporters contended that there was no
justification for the increased fees. They vowed
to oppose it until the school administration
returned to the former fees.
Two of the students disclosed that their
colleagues at the Lagos campus were organizing
to commence demonstrations as well, adding
that protests would continue at the Benin
center.
Outrageous increases in students' fees without
prior warning have triggered student protests
and resistance in different parts of Nigeria.
Students at Lagos State University (LASU) are still
protesting increased fees at their institution. The
state government hiked fees from N25, 000 to
between N250, 000 and N350, 000. In reaction
to the protests, the Lagos State government
recently announced token percentage
reductions, but the students have rejected the
gesture, saying they were determined to
continue with their protests.
Also, students at the Obafemi Awolowo
University (OAU) in Ile-Ife have continued to
resist a vacation order from the campus after
they protested against a sudden increase in
fees. Describing the increase as “outrageous and
irrational,” the students voiced their resolve to
continue their protests despite verbal threats by
the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bamitale Omole.
Mr. Omole has threatened to proscribe the
students' union and is accused of working to
victimize its leaders.