The current dispensation has been witnessing a series of agitations, threats to go on indefinite strike and spontaneous warning strikes from the labour union. All as a result of the deteriorating state of the Nigerian economy. It has caused a ripple effects which manifested almost in every affairs of citizens’ well-being. Prices of necessities have skyrocketed astronomically, there is now increment on tariffs while the exchange of Naira to Dollar is going up every 'blessed' day.
The economic hardship has birthed increased tuition fee across federal universities in Nigeria; this had sparked a lot of protests from student union bodies of some tertiary institutions. As if these hardships were not enough, students are still being faced with challenges within the four walls of their institutions and University of Ibadan is not an exception. This includes the introduction of the new fee in the departments and faculties, the increment in the price of transportation, and the escalating price of food.
The umbrella body, the University of Ibadan Student Union, charged with representing the interests of students has displayed a high degree of leniency in ameliorating the plights of students on campus. There have been accusations from the students that the SU has been “sleeping”. This is evident in the lacking tangible record of success that could be traced to the body since the semester commenced. Although, the union might have facilitated several meetings with the necessary stakeholders, it has provided no positive outcome.
The Students’ Representative Council sitting on Saturday, 7th October, was a moment of heated arguments. The Student Union President, Samuel Samson Tobiloba (HOST) presented the “state of the union” before the house. This was trailed by several comments from the representatives. They decried communication lapses between the SU body and other student leaders. It is evident that the SU has not made its stance known to the school management on the nonconformity of students to pay the introduced levies- laboratory/studio fee.
Meanwhile, not all departments and faculties make use of laboratory and studio. Or what does a student of Philosophy have to do with a laboratory or studio? The enterprise of philosophizing has nothing to do with chemicals and specimens. If truly the SU is ready to solve the challenges being faced by the students, they should facilitate a meeting with the school management and reach a consensus that would benefit both parties, especially the students. A typical example of institutions that have successfully driven home their demands with the school managements are TASUED, UNILAG and UNIJOS. UI SU can also emulate this trend. It will be a disaster to fail to display the widely touted “ first and the best” among the institutions in Nigeria.
0 Comments