By: Fakeye Blessing
The Council of Faculty Presidents, University of Ibadan, has written to the SRC, proposing an increment in the amount of basic dues students are expected to pay to their respective faculties following a recent and similar proposal also made by the Council of Hall Chairpersons, UI to the Student Representative Council.
According to them, the sum of 3,000 Naira which has been paid by students for over 3 academic sessions can no longer cover the cost for each administration to perform their basic duties to the faculties.
“Specifically, 3000 naira is no longer enough to organize, constitutional and customary events such as Fresher’s week, Dinner, Faculty week, Election, Dean’s cup, and sessional packages.”
The memo also stated an example of the production of Faculty books , which is a prominent tradition across all faculties in the university, stating that the price for production of each book has increased from 1200 to 1600 naira .
The Union of faculty president also requested to have a meeting with the Student Representative Council to discuss and implement the increment of basic dues from a sum of 3000 naira to a sum of 5000 naira.
The Council also states their understanding of the inconvenience this increment could cause but argued that the benefit of the increment outweighs the cost.
The Council concluded by stating their willingness to cooperate and negotiate with the SRC.
It should be noted that this proposal is coming at a time when there is an ongoing struggle against the hike in school fees which the members of this Council have been a part of , and also at a time when students are dealing with other expenses and the high cost of living in Nigeria.
