Ajayi Samuel, Akure

The Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, has approved the reduction of the tuition fees payable at the state-owned Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA).

This was contained in a circular on Thursday made available to CAMPUS GIST issued by Opeoluwa Akinfemiwa, Acting Registrar and Secretary to Council of the Institution.

He said the approval followed an earlier appeal by students, and in view of the economic effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country on parents and students.

According to the curricular, Akeredolu directed that AAUA should consider a reduction in tuition fees in a way that quality education can still be sustained in the University.

“As a follow up to the above (directive), a meeting between the Governor, the University and the student leaders was convened,” Akinfemiwa said.

“Consequently, the Visitor has approved the underlisted reduction of tuition fees with effect from the 2019/2020 academic session, as recommended by Council.”

With the latest reduction, Science students paying N150,000 will now pay N120,000, while Social and Management Sciences are to pay N120,000 instead of N150,000.

Fee for Agricultural students was reduced from the current N150,000 to N100,000, while Arts was reduced to N80,000 from N100,000.

Education faculty students are to now pay N80,000 instead of N100,000. *Fee payable by Law students was however retained at N150,000.*

“All students are therefore advised to take advantage of the reduced fees by paying their school fees and registering for their courses without further delay,” the statement added.

CAMPUS GIST recalls that the Ondo state government had, in 2017, increased the AAUA school fees by about 200 per cent (N70,000 to N250,000), saying “the initial rates operated under the previous administration were unsustainable”.

Both the AAUA and the Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), Okitipupa were subsequently shut following students’ agitation for fees reduction.

The reduction in tuition fee of the Adejunke Ajasin University is coming barely six weeks to the October 10 Ondo State Governorship election where incumbent Governor Rotimi Akeredolu is seeking re-election.

Samuel is CAMPUS GIST’s AAUA correspondent. ajayi.samuel@campusgist.com.ng

https://campusgist.com.ng/2020/08/27/ondo-gov-reduces-aaua-tuition-fee-weeks-to-governorship-poll/

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