Calabar, December 5, 2023: The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Florence Obi, has issued a directive to suspend the implementation of new fees introduced by the institution until further notice. The decision, communicated through a statement by the university’s Registrar, Gabriel Egbe, comes in response to a massive student protest that disrupted academic and other activities on Monday.
The university’s management had approved an adjustment in school fees during an emergency meeting on December 1, sparking discontent among the student body. Freshers, returning students, and final-year students in non-science courses were slated to pay N111,000, N91,500, and N114,000, respectively, with additional third-party dues.
In the statement, the vice-chancellor acknowledged the students’ concerns and emphasized the administration’s commitment to resolving the matter through constructive engagements. The statement read, “The management of this institution is a listening administration. We want to assure the students as critical stakeholders that appropriate arrangements have been put in place through constructive engagements with the students to resolve the matter.”
The management praised the students for their mature, reasonable, and civilized approach in addressing the issue. Prior to the adjustment, average fees for students, depending on their department, ranged from N64,050 for freshers to N49,500 for returning students.
The university community awaits further developments as discussions between the administration and students progress.
