Students of the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, protested on Wednesday against recent tuition fee hikes and electricity rationing. Wearing masks to conceal their identities, they blocked the main entrance and gathered around the Senate Building.

The protest followed a resolution from an emergency congress held the previous day, calling for a peaceful demonstration and a mass boycott of lectures.

The students demanded a reversal of the new electricity rationing policy and the tuition fee increase. A 200-level Political Science student, speaking anonymously, highlighted the economic hardship faced by students, with some contemplating quitting their studies.

Fee hikes were noted across various departments, with Psychology students paying N140,000 and Political Science students N80,000. Complaints included poor conditions in the institution, such as insufficient electricity, inadequate medical facilities, and frequent lecture cancellations.

The university’s management, in a memo dated July 16, approved a 10-hour daily electricity supply, which students argued was insufficient. The Public Relations Officer of the university, Joke Akinpelu, stated that the management had been in discussions with the students to address their concerns. Efforts to contact the Students’ Union President were unsuccessful.