Unilag Management Maintains Fee Increase, Announces Higher Hostel Fees for New Session

By Charles Maduka

The management of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has reaffirmed its decision to maintain the recent fee increase while also announcing higher hostel fees for the upcoming session.

This was disclosed during a meeting held between the university management, faculty presidents-elect, and College of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences Students Association (COMPSSA) leaders.

The meeting was convened to address concerns surrounding school fees, hostel fees, and other dues students are required to pay.

MBBS and BDS students will now pay ₦100,000 as hostel fee starting in the new session while other students, both at the Idi-Araba campus and the main campus, will pay ₦80,000 per session.

The management explained that the increase was necessary to maintain and improve hostel conditions, stating that renovations are already underway.

However, the university emphasized that hostel accommodation is not a student entitlement, advising those dissatisfied with the fee increase to seek off-campus housing or commute from home.

Another outcome of the meeting was the immediate removal of ULSU, departmental, and faculty dues from the student portal.

However, according to the statement released after, the university management remained firm on its stance regarding obligatory fees, utility charges, and hostel fees.

They cited the pressing financial burden of over one billion naira owed to the power distribution company. The management also expressed concern that the annual funds provided by the federal government are insufficient to cover the university’s operating expenses.

During the discussion, the management also apologized for the recent fee hike, explaining that it was driven by inflation. They reaffirmed their earlier commitment to conducting an annual review of fees in consultation with student leaders.

Additionally, students were encouraged to apply for the National Economic Loan Fund (NELFUND) to help cover their obligatory and utility fees. The university said that it would update the necessary details for the NELFUND system to reflect the new fees.

Students who have already received approval for the loan, especially those from the last session, will either receive a refund or have their payment carried over to the new academic session.

The university management also mentioned that it will decide by the end of the week whether to postpone the resumption date, currently set for October 28, 2024, or start with online lectures, while the hostels are put in order.

Finally, specific issues affecting the Idi-Araba campus, such as power supply and Wi-Fi disruptions, were raised. The management acknowledged the ongoing challenges with electricity on the campus and assured students that efforts are being made to address the issue.

The university also promised to restore Wi-Fi services once road construction by the Lagos State Government, which damaged underground optic fibers, is completed.