The university management in an internal memorandum released on Friday, September 1, 2023, ordered the immediate dissolution of the students’ union for allegedly breaching some provisions of the school’s rules and regulations.
The management of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State disbanded the students’ union for staging a protest against tuition fee hikes and alleged extortion of students by the authority.
The university management in an internal memorandum released on Friday, September 1, 2023, ordered the immediate dissolution of the students’ union for allegedly breaching some provisions of the school’s rules and regulations.
The memorandum reads: “While it is not out of place for students to exercise their right to protest, it is paramount to emphasize that there are laid down procedures to be adopted, which are clearly defined in the Student Information Handbook.
“The protests of 31 August and 1 September, 2023 by students led by the Student Union officials, which manifested in the illegal locking of the University main gate, clearly disrupted academic and administrative activities in the University, and created security tension. Specifically, it disrupted the commendation service for late Rev. Professor Moses Isunu Ailemen, which had been scheduled to take place at the International/Students Conference Center on 1st September, 2023.
“To this end, the Student Union, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma has completely flouted the provisions of Section 19, subsections (h) and (i) of the rules and regulations enshrined in the Student Information Handbook. Under subsection (1), it is clearly stated, without any form of ambiguity, that the organizers of demonstration must ensure that there is no disruption or obstruction of educational and other activities of the University including administration, lecture, tutorial, and other related events.
“Consequent on the above, the entire Student Union, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma is hereby dissolved and stands dissolved. The Student Union officials should return all union properties in their possession to the Security Division within 48 hours.
“All students are advised to go about their normal academic activities as all issues in contention will be resolved through dialogue and other relevant mechanisms.
However, a source in the school told SaharaReporters that what actually led to the students’ protest was a “huge increment in tuition fees despite economic hardship in the country”.
“Last session, the total fee for the medical laboratory was N131,400 but now it is N237,500,” the student told SaharaReporters.
He added that the management had also imposed some unnecessary charges on the students to milk them.
The source said, “An MoU agreement was signed between the former union and the present management that the Edo Health Insurance Scheme will be for only fresh students but they went ahead and implemented it for all students as against the agreement.
“Meanwhile, some families are already under this health scheme which makes it a burden to register twice and the issue of the unequipped health centre of the university is there.
“Also, there is an increase in school fees for old students despite this hardship.
“Thirdly, we pay school fees in two instalments for those that can't afford full payment but if you calculate what will be an instalment, it is higher than the full fee.
“Also, the management will tell the students that the governor is the problem and that we should protest at the Government House yet they will tell the governor that the students are being political because they want to please him.”
“Students pay for everything all in the name of running the university,” the source added.