We are not planning to increase tuition fee – OAU

Contrary to the information that 38 universities have increased their tuition fees, the Obafemi Awolowo University, said its tuition fee remained the same.

It was gathered that OAU students currently pay between N19,700 and N30,000 depending on their faculty.

In a press statement by the OAU Public Relations Officer of the University, students and parents were urged to disregard the information.

He said, “The attention of the authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile – Ife, have been drawn to a news item that ’38 Varsities increase tuition fees’, where OAU was listed among the Universities that have increased their tuition fees.

“Although there may be paucity of funds from the Federal Government in running the Institutions of higher learning, which might have prompted some Universities to upwardly review their fees, but the situation in OAU is quite different.

“For the avoidance of doubt, there is no meeting, either of the University management or Senate, where the fee increment was announced, and the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Tope Ogunbodede, has not contemplated on increasing any fee in OAU.

“In actual fact, his administration is poised to making the welfare of staff and students a topmost priority.

“Accordingly, the VC has advised the students, their parents and, or guardians to completely disregard as unfounded rumour, the said news item. He added that the administrative and academic affairs of OAU will not be run in secret, stating that he will not renege on his pledge of running a very open and transparent administration.”

He subsequently urged journalists to avoid reports that could plunge universities into avoidable crisis.