LASU Direct Students Not To Pay New Tuition Fees

The Students Union of the Lagos State University (LASU) on Thursday, July 3, directed its members not to pay the new tuition fees until a further reduction was made by the state government.

The Union’s President, Nurudeen Yusuf, who signed a press statement said that the tuition fee was high, in view of the economic situation of the state, when compared to the relative fees payable in other universities across the country.

"Following the meeting, the union resolved that students should resume with immediate effect but strongly warns that no student should pay the fee, until further notice," the statement said.

It, however, called for the reduction or withdrawal of some charges such as: acceptance fee, tuition, caution and field trip/teaching practice levy.

According to the statement, other charges the students requested for reduction include laboratory and practical/workshop/studio work.

On June 11, the state governor, Babatunde Fashola, had announced a 34% to 60% reduction on the LASU tuition fees. This was sequel to protests from the students and civil society groups.

On June 20, the University’s Governing Council had released a breakdown of the new tuition fees which ranged from N76,750 to N158,250.

It was against the increase in fees announced in 2011, from N25,000 to N198,000 for humanities and education, while medical students were required to pay N348,000.

However, the students union insisted that the fees be reduced to N46,500 for returning students and N65,500 for fresh students, as proposed by them to the governor.

Meanwhile, on June 23, the LASU management had recalled students from recess, directing them to commence payment of the new tuition fees and their registration. This was in spite of the on-going lecturers’ strike that started on May 20.

The LASU Chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), had also been on strike since May 26.

Source: Legit.ng