Returning students of the University of Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory FCT,on Monday took to the University’s administration block and adjourning areas to protest fresh payment of first term school fees and other fees relating to their courses.
An eye wutness who is a student in the institution said trouble started when the students were asked By the management to pay the fees on resumption of academic activities
The source said the students had argued that they had yet to conclude their first term before the commencement of the 9 month ASUU strike in March 2019 and emergence of the coronavirus in the country which forced a national lockdown.
An attempt by the head of the student union government,(SUG) Oladaja Habeeb Olawale to speak to the University’s Senate led by the Vice Chancellor Abdul Rasheed Na’Allah was rebuffed by the security on campus.
The source confirmed that normal academic activities are expected to begin on Tuesday in line with the school calendar and timetable issued to students but expressed fear that academic activities might be disrupted if the management refused to show understanding and stay action on payment of fees until next semester when fresh payments would be expected.
The University of Abuja was established on January 1,1988, with mandate to run both conventional and distant learning academic programmes. All courses in the institution are reportedly rightly accredited
However,porous perimeter fencing,lack of adequate accommodation and other facilities befitting of a Federal University in the, FCT are daily challenges which must be tackled immediately as the school is a mirror of the Nigerian governmentt .
The Tertiary Education Fund TETFUND,had, pledged to spend N10BN to develop critical infrastructure at the University of Abuja
It’s Chairman,Kashim Ibrahim Imam had told students of the university during an interactive session said the funds will be used for the construction of a new Senate building,a 1,000 capacity International conference center,a 2,000 bed space accomodation for students as well as bolster e- learning in the institution.
