Some institutions in Edo State have described as false the statement by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that they had increased tuition due to poor funding from the Federal Government.
ASUU had in a statement by the Chairman of the University of Ibadan chapter, Dr. Deji Omole, on Monday reportedly said that 38 higher institutions had increased their tuition fees.
Among others, the union had reportedly listed the University of Benin ( from N12,000 to N49,500), Igbinedion University ( from N540,000 to N820,000), Benson Idahosa University ( from N280,300 to N1,150,000 and the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi (from N14,800 to N28,000), as the institutions affected in Edo State.
UNIBEN
The management of the University of Benin, However, told The Punch that there was no recent increase in the fees paid by its students.
Michael Osasuyi, the Public Relations Officer of the institution, therefore, urged parents to verify the fees payable by the students from the university’s official website.
”The university has not increased any fees. When you look at that paper (ASUU’s statement), you will discover that it was not ASUU-UNIBEN that said so. As of this morning, UNIBEN has not increased school fees.
”We do not know where the issue of N12,000 to N49,500 is coming from. We want to appeal to parents that if they even go to our online platform, they will see that the University of Benin has not increased fees. Parents should try as much as possible to verify,” Osasuyi said.
BIU
The management of BIU stated that while the tuition charged for its Law programme was the same as claimed by ASUU, it was neither increased recently or due to poor funding from government.
”There is no increase. The report is very false. The fee for Law only is N1,150,000; it used to be N980,000,” a source in the information unit of the university said.
”It was increased last year, not now. No other course is as expensive as Law,” the source added.
Igbinedion
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, said that the institution had no plan to hike its fees.
”Please be informed that contrary to the post on increased fees making the rounds, Igbinedion University, Okada has not increased fees, and has no plans to do so.
”In fact, rather than increase, we have lightened the burden of paying fees by allowing parents to pay in installments. I make these submissions as the Vice Chancellor of the university,” he said.
