By Blessing Famose and Faith Enang
Ilori, who is a 400-level student of marine biology at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), took his outburst to his Instagram page on Saturday.
In the video, he is seen asking fish traders in the Abule Egba axis of Lagos State, “why will I use 140k to study fishery?”
Recall that in July, the school management increased obligatory fees from less than 25,000 naira to over 100,000 naira.
As his own academic sponsor, Ilori expressed deep concern about the negative financial implications the increase would have on him and his fellow students.
Speaking with UnilagSun on Monday, he said the rising cost of living and the need for affordable education in his field inspired the video.
According to him, the price of things, including project expenses for final year students, would create significant financial strain for many students, especially those from average or poor families.
“I’m in my finals with my guys so add the final year expenses like project, hostel, school fees, convocation, etc. It will choke no matter how strong you are financially.
Even for the parents aspect, some of us come from average or poor families and most can’t cope with the increase,” he said.
Regarding the installmental payment option proposed by the management, Ilori dismissed it as an attempt to conceal their “wicked agenda.”
Furthermore, he argued that the criteria to qualify for students’ loans were unrealistic and that the fees were simply too high, making the installmental option an insufficient remedy.
His words, “One of the reason why I choose UNILAG was because the school fees is affordable so I can pay it myself without stressing my parents.
I am very sure other students choose the school for this reason too. Some parents have between three to five children in UNILAG. Please, federal government, pity them.”
Giving his parting words, Ilori declared, “LET THE POOR BREATHE.”
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