Academic activities at the University of Calabar came to a standstill on Monday due to student protests against a 100% tuition fee increase.
The university had recently announced revised fees for the upcoming academic sessions, prompting students to stage a peaceful demonstration that disrupted traffic flow and impeded staff entry into the campus.
The demonstrators, numbering at least 100, blockaded Mary Slessor and Etta Agbor Roads, brandishing placards and fresh leaves to voice their discontent.
Messages on the placards included, “We came here to study, not to burden our parents” and “The Vice Chancellor enjoyed free education but now burdens students with exorbitant fees.”
Speaking in an interview with NAN, one of the protesters, Tony Erei, said they would continue the protest until the institution reversed to the status quo.
Erei said, “In the last few months, Nigerians have suffered a lot with the increase in the prices of everything, including petroleum products, without commensurate increase in the income of workers.
“Increasing charges now is uncalled for because students and parents are still struggling to pay the last increment that was done sometime ago by the same university management.”
Amid the protest, a substantial police presence was observed to maintain order. The revised fee structure outlined varying fees for different course categories, with notable increases from previous charges.
Before the increment, students paid an average of N64,050 for freshers, N52,050 for final year, and N49,500 for returning students, depending on the department. The new fees range from N111,000 to N155,000 for freshers in non-science and science-based courses, respectively, along with accompanying third-party dues.