Ogbonna Collins Chukwuemeka, an expelled 400-level students of Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) for involving in a protest restated that the management of the University increased students’ fee as a means to generate revenue for the school.
Mr. Collins, one of the six students expelled for participating in a protest, revealed to SaharaReporters that the school was keen on raising internally generated revenue through anyway with the most effective means being exploiting the students. The student lamented that the increment came seven months after the administration of Prof. Francis Chukwuemeka Eze took the helms of affairs as the Vice-Chancellor of the University.
“The outrageous hike in fee came to students as a shocking announcement. The fee was on the high side and considering the economic situation of the country, the increase is unacceptable. The fees we are being asked to pay at FUTO are too high, and the burden will tell on all students especially newly admitted students who will have to pay acceptance and lodge fee etc.” Mr. Collins said.
Negating the claim of the management who through the V.C, spoke to Hot 99.5 FM and claimed that the tuition fee of the institution is only #13,000. Mr. Collins disclosed that students of FUTO pay over #30,000 including various debased fee added to students’ tuition fee.
“The university astronomically increased fees. Acceptance fee was increased from #25,000 to #42,300, newly admitted students have to pay #56,300 instead of #48,300. Second and third-year students’ fee was increased from #33,300 to #39,300 and fourth to final year students had their fee increased from #27,300 to #39,300. All these fees attract #10,000 late registration fee as well.”
Another student who spoke anonymously to SaharaReporters said that the management is unconcerned about the students and only wish to make money for the school.
“The school and the Vice Chancellor increased fees without genuine reason. They also added shuttle service fee of #5,000 to tuition fee while we pay #50 before boarding the shuttle. This make us ask what we paid the #5,000 for?”
Ogbonna Collins was expelled along with five other students on 3rd of April, 2017, for participating in a protest where the students demand the reason for an increment of fees and immediate reversal to initial fees being paid by the students.
