Dreams And Deadlines: The Cost of Being a UI Fresher

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By Idowu Precious (Babosha)

At the University of Ibadan, the start of a new academic session usually comes with a mix of emotions; excitement, anxiety, an intense urge to conquer which is predominantly found in freshers. However, while the aforementioned feelings are still raging on, we feel the strong presence of yet another worry. The reason? Fees! The recent increment in school fees at the University of Ibadan has generated significant concern among freshers and their parents. For many, this change reflects an added financial burden coupled with the current economic realities most families are currently facing.

According to the recently released memo, freshers are expected to complete their registration between February 17 and June 6, while staylites have until June 6 as well. After that, late registration begins, and this goes from June 9 to 27 but at an additional cost of ₦20,000. On paper, one can say this looks fair enough. Four months should be plenty of time, right? But when you pay a closer look at the reality behind the numbers, it causes you to pause and think if the four month duration is enough for the payment of fees to be met. 

Now, a quick talk about that fee. In some departments, freshers are being asked to pay up to the sum of ₦241,500 as bundle fee. Keep in mind that this is not the only fee to be paid. There are the Technology, Utility, Faculty, Department, Health (Jaja) and even Hostel Accommodation fees to be paid! Some of these with even closer deadlines. That cannot just be considered as “a lot”, it is also near impossible for many Nigerian families to come up with, especially when you consider the current economic situation most citizens are in. A number of these freshers are not children born with silver spoons, they are not all children of high-income households.  Many of these students come from households with market traders, tailors, technicians, teachers, security guards, or civil service workers still earning the same salary earned from five years back. For families like these, an amount of that magnitude denotes all their life savings. It has to be scraped together, bit by bit.

As such, when the system sets a deadline and attaches a ₦20,000 penalty for “lateness”, it doesn’t feel like a nudge. No, it feels like a bucket of ice water thrown on someone already shivering. Some are still waiting on funds from home. Some are still hoping that their rich relative/family friend would be kind enough to raise something. Others are hustling through various means; ushering jobs, barbing, freelance works, etc just to meet up. And with the way the economy is moving (faster than our pockets can catch up) many are already stretched thin and on the verge of a breakdown. 

However, we do understand that the university management also has to deal with rising costs. The harsh economic reality isn’t selective of persons, it hits us all, from the institution down to the individuals. But while the need for funds is real and apparent, so also is the need for empathy.

There has to be a way to secure a balance, one that fits us all, because when we talk about education, we are talking about people. People who want to learn, grow, and contribute. People who have already made sacrifices just to get to this point and it will be unfair of us to shatter their dreams. 

Yes, the registration window is technically “long,” but the truth is that financial challenges is no respecter of persons. Life happens, situations beyond our control will always arise! Salaries may get delayed, siblings fall ill, prices go up overnight, sales may not be so progressive. As such, perhaps the exploration of support systems and flexible payments may be employed rather than the rigid payment plan and deadlines we currently have. 

And if late registration must carry a fee, the fee should be fined within the capability of the students. ₦20,000 is nearly (and in some cases, it is)  a month’s salary for some people. It shouldn’t be a fine that would take a couple running around by students to raise.

And yes, we have been told that students should take advantage of loan schemes like NELFUND which is a good initiative. But we should also remember that access isn’t always straightforward. Some students get stuck halfway through the process. Others do not even qualify at all. It's not the savior we have been made to believe it is, at least not yet. 

At the end of the day, the goal (as a Federal Institution) is for an inclusive education. An education for all, not just a few. One where no student feels like their dreams are being bound by deadlines and funds. One where thoughts of financial constraints do not overpower academic pursuit. 

The Students’ Union, acting on behalf of the student body should intervene in this matter. The students should be carried along at every step and actions should be visibly seen and felt. Many still await the updates of the dialogue they reportedly carried out. University of Ibadan (the first and the best) has always stood for excellence and now more than ever, students are hoping it can also stand for understanding.