The Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun State has announced the suspension of academic activities for one week.
The decision was made due to the students’ protest that occurred on Monday morning, according to the Registrar, Mrs Olubunmi Elewodalu.
Elewodalu stated that the closure was necessary given the prevailing circumstances.
She explained that the protest was triggered by the increase in acceptance fees for newly admitted students, among other grievances.
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Elewodalu said:
“The temporary suspension of the academic activities is a result of the need to address the prevailing circumstances in the polytechnic.
“The suspension of the academic activities will be effective from Monday, October 9, to Friday, October 13, 2023. During this period all students are directed to stay away from the campus until otherwise directed.”
The students gathered at the campus gate, holding placards with various demands while men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) watched.
Some of the placard inscriptions read:
“#No To Increment of Tuition Fee,” “#Rector Must Go,” “#Release our Results ASAP.”
The Students’ Union President of the institution, Babatunde Adelola said:
“We have many reasons to protest. Recently, the school said they were not getting funding from the state government and they needed to generate funds internally, which was why they increased the acceptance fee from N35,000 to N50,500.
“Aside from the hike in fee, the delay in the release of our result is affecting students. For instance, those who graduated in the last session have yet to be mobilised for service. I am in HND 2 second semester and I have yet to see the result of the exams I took in HND 1 second semester. This is affecting students because they do not know their academic standing and how well to prepare for the next exams.”
