The Abia Police Command has confirmed that there were massive protests by the students of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) over school fees and payment mode. The protests began when the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, drove out students who had not paid their fees from the examination hall.
Some of the protesting students claimed that the Vice Chancellor told them to drop out and return in ten years when they have the tuition.
The students took to the streets, grounding academic activities in the school, and demanding a reversal of the fees.
They also stated that students who had paid their fees but were not reflected on the school’s website were not allowed to write the examination.
The students reportedly blocked the convoy of Prof. Iwe, but their demands were ineffective. The Abia Police Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO ASP Maureen Chinaka, stated that the command was aware of the student unrest and had deployed officers to calm the situation. The police successfully cleared the road and restored calm to the area.
As a result of the massive protest, the management of the university has shut down the institution indefinitely.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, announced the indefinite shutdown in a statement, citing the violation of the university’s peace by miscreants who chased and pursued him, damaging his official vehicle and those of his officials. The university’s records show that more than 70% of the students had paid their fees and were peacefully taking their examinations.
However, the miscreants and hoodlums disrupted the peace of the university, causing the shutdown.
It was reported that a circular issued by the registrar on February 2 stated that students who had not paid their fees would not be allowed to write their exams.
The fees had also seen a significant increase, which added to the students’ grievances.
Article updated 3 weeks ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
