Students of a state-owned institution, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, Monday, shutdown the school in protest over increased tuition fees and alleged extortion of students through what they termed “illegal fees”.
The students in their thousands barricaded the main entrance of the institution as early as 6.30am and prevented lecturers and other staff of the institution from gaining entrance into the school premises.
The protest also disrupted the ongoing second semester examination, as students coming for the exams met the entrance under lock and keys.
The aggrieved students who were chanting anti-management songs were armed with placards with inscriptions such as: “We no be rich kids, na why we come MAPOLY”, “#Say No To Unreasonable Increment Now!!!”, “Say no to extortion” and “Bring back our 60/40% what is new on the portal”, among others.
Speaking on behalf of the students, the chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ogun state, Simeon Kehinde Damilola, demanded the immediate reversal of all increased fees and abolishment of the newly introduced fees.
Simeon accused the rector of the polytechnic, Dr Adeoye Odedeji, of milking the students of the institution through school fee increments and introduction of exorbitant charges.
He called for the investigation of the management of the school for alleged misappropriation and mismanagement of funds.
His words: “Today, we have commenced actions to protest the mismanagement, corruption and inhumane policies in MAPOLY.
“We demand that a reversal should be made on all increased and newly introduced fees.
“We demand that the state government set up a panel of enquiry to investigate how funds going into the school are expended.
“We are disheartened to converge here today, not for celebration but to decry the suffering and panic the management of the MAPOLY has subjected us to as students.
“Our offense as Nigerian students is that we want to be educated and the Dr Adeoye Odedeji – led management of MAPOLY is saying education is not for the poor.
“Few months ago in the last academic session, tuition fees for both ND and HND students were increased, including part time students whose figure is not accurately given.
“Without considering the economic conditions of parents and guardians, tuition fees were increased outrageously again for two consecutive sessions. This is the highest level of discomfort any management could think of putting the students through.”
