Students of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko and some residents of Ondo state have expressed their displeasure over the recent increment in the fees of the institution.
SUNSHINE HERALD had on Friday published the new fees approved for new and returning students of the state-owned university.
According to the fees, new students admitted to study law would pay N200,000 while returning students are expected to pay N150,000.
Also, fresh students from the school of Science/Sommasa are asked to pay N180,000 while those returning would pay N150,000.
N150,000 and N120,000 were approved for new and returning students respectively for those in Faculties of Art and Education.
But it was gathered by PUNCH that the State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, had approved the new fees in line with the recommendation of the Governing Council of the institution.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Governing Council of the AAUA, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, on Thursday, the students were directed to check the school's portal to see the new development.
The statement read in part, "In order to avoid any further delay in the school resumption, the new school fees for new and returning students have been approved. Students are advised to access AAUA registration portal to know the new school fees for their departments.
"However, the council has approved payment per semester for students who cannot afford to pay the full school fees at once."
Expressing their displeasure, students and parents took to different social media to troll the governor of the state, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu.
A former Senate President of the students' union, Joseph Akinkuotu wrote on WhatsApp, "Humm… Adekunle Ajasin University will forever not forget the Caring Heart governance & students friendly administration of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.
"The Cheapest tuition fee in AAUA under him (Mimiko) was N23,00 & N28,000 as highest between 2009 – 2017 of his administration. The Cheapest now under Barr. Akeredolu is N120,000 & N180,00 as highest paid department.
"Thank you for the forceful dropout of Kamardeen Oyewole of the department of Geology whose parents are no more but sponsors himself through Labourer Work in Ikare-Akoko.
"It is disheartening to know that my school daughter Folasade Akinyanju of Mass Communication Department whose father is late and her mom, currently a petty Tomatoes Seller at Oja Oba Market in Akure would undoubtedly and sorrowfully drop out of AAUA.
"Ohhhhh!!!…….this is not fair Your Excellency, this is not fair."
A student of the institution with the name @Peter Bosede on Facebook wrote, "Even if my mum decide to borrow Lapo how will she refund it with the N300 she's coming home with from morning till evening? Mr governor, you said our tuition fees can't buy u a good shoe, yes I agree with you because you don't know how difficult life is, your children studied abroad.
"Why have you decided to make life terrible and hell for your fellow human being. God will judge you for this. And to any Aauite that is going to pay this huge amount of money, remember your colleague that is still owing reparation fee, remember that your colleague that would always beg for food before eating, remember that your colleague who has just only one trouser and skirt."
A commentator on @SunshineHerald on Facebook @Adegbola John said, "Aketi disappoint the good people of Ondo state with this method of generating IGR in the state. You can't compare your state with Lagos state. They are totally different."
Another commentator, @Eze Jacob Israel wrote, "The man doesn't pay such huge amount for law during his days at OAU, besides, this is one of such acts he would have led the students in general into protest as vice president of SUG during his days.. APC has failed generally both in federal and state level. The man is a bad omen to Ondo state in general"
"That was what Fayemi did in 2013, He increased tuition fees from 35000 naira to more than 200000 thousand. He Fayemi sponsored his elections, increased AAUA tuition is one of the ways he want to get his money back. For inflicting pains into the lives of masses, God Almighty Will judge these evil politicians," @Abbeylincoln Abbey D wrote.
@Yhemmy Ormhonhiyhi also wrote, "Some people are just so heartless I can't imagine the kind of pains they are causing the people that voted them into power… Heartless politicians God will punish them all."
"If only the students will graduate and get jobs, at least the parents could try to spend there last kobo, thinking they are investing, after graduation there investment will start yielding, but in naija no way, that's why the students should not accept to pay such money. education should be totally free expect there is job for them after graduating," Olabisi Kayode wrote.
For @Prestige Dayo Odebode, the same set of people who increased the fees were the one that benefited from the free education service of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Also reacting, the President National Association of Ondo State Students, AAUA, Comrade Popoola Morayo in a statement he personally signed directed all Ondo state indigenes in the institution not to pay the new fee.
"Please we implore you all not pay any school fee for now, just print your SCHOOL FEE INVOICE and keep calm. An update will be release very soon for next line of actions just remain calm.
"Please we beseech you all to help us inform as many FRESHERS that you know Not to create any account for now as update is coming as regards that," part of the statement read.
According to a source who told PUNCH, the students in the departments such as Educational Management and Guidance and Counselling will pay N120, 000, while students in Accounting, Economics and Law will pay N150, 000. The students in the Faculty of Science will be paying N180, 000 as their new school fees.
Meanwhile, the development has been generating reactions from stakeholders in the state as some parents have rejected the increment, describing it as outrageous.
A parent, Mrs. Mabel Salawu, said the state government did not consider the economic condition of the parents before fixing the new school fees. She urged the government to look into the matter and come up with affordable fees.
She said, "This is too much for us to pay, I have two children in the school and I am a petty trader. How does the school want me to cope? This also contradicts the agreement we had at the stakeholders' meeting with the management of the school last week. They promised us that the new fees would be affordable but this is not affordable. The governor should look into it."
