The Governing Council of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye in Ogun State, has ordered the immediate reopening of the university.
Lectures are to start on Monday, September, 29, 2014 to continue the suspended 2013/2014 academic session.
The university was closed by the management to forestall breakdown of public peace as a result of students’ negative reaction to the announcements by the State Government reducing the university fees.
According to a statement by the Head, Corporate Affairs Division, Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Niyi Oduwole, in 2008, the Students’ Union Government signed an agreement with the then State Government to increase fees by 20 percent annually.
“However, in response to recent students’ demand for a downward review by 40 percent of the current fees, the State Government reduced the fees by about 40 percent and, in some cases, down to 60 percent as well as abolished the dichotomy between indigenes and non-indigenes.
“This new arrangement was to start in the 2014/2015 session since there was no budgetary provision for the short fall in the current year’s financial appropriation.
“However, students demanded lower fees and its immediate implementation.”
He stated further that this reopening “follows an agreement between the university management and the Students’ Union Government accepting the new fees and the commencement date of 2014/2015 session.
“All returning students are expected to sign an undertaking to be of good behaviour while an investigating panel shall be set up to look at the immediate and remote causes of the disturbances and suggest ways of preventing such in the future.”
While noting that the panel may also recommend appropriate sanctions for anyone that might have violated his matriculation oath, the school management advised all returning students to check the university website for details of fees payment guidelines for the session.
