This follows the ongoing face-off between the management and its students regarding the increase.

This crucial decision emerged following a constructive meeting between the university’s management, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) leadership, and the presidents of various university faculties.

The student representatives had voiced their demands, including a rollback of the fee hikes for tuition and accommodation, along with the university’s reinstatement of the student union.

In a positive development, the university administration not only concurred with an immediate reduction in school and accommodation fees but also committed to initiating the process of reinstating the student union on campus.

This promising step forward signals a potential resolution to the ongoing dispute.

He clarified that some universities have introduced “discretionary charges” for specific services such as hostel accommodation, registration, and laboratory use, but these are not considered tuition fees.

“They are not tuition fees,” he emphasised.

“For avoidance of doubts, federal universities in Nigeria remain tuition-free.”

The statement sought to address recent fee adjustments made by some tertiary institutions, including the University of Lagos (UNILAG), which raised fees for new and returning undergraduate students.

UNILAG justified the move, citing the prevailing economic conditions and the need to meet various obligations to students, staff, and service providers.

However, the Presidency’s assertion emphasizes that despite these changes in specific charges, the core tuition policy in federal universities remains unchanged, and they will continue to be tuition-free. The government aims to provide access to higher education for all qualified students without imposing direct tuition fees.

While the institutions may introduce discretionary charges to enhance services and facilities, it is vital to clarify that these charges are distinct from regular tuition fees. The government remains committed to ensuring that students have the best possible learning experience and access to quality education.

It is expected that this clarification from the Presidency will bring reassurance to students and stakeholders, emphasizing the continued commitment to affordable higher education in federal universities.

Previously, students enrolled at the institution paid N19,000, but now the management has fixed new fees as follows: N190,250 for students studying medicine, N140,250 for courses that require laboratory and studio facilities, and N100,750 for programmes that do not require lab and studio usage.

A statement issued by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) UNILAG branch on July 20, 2023, revealed that the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, met with representatives of the three non-academic staff unions to discuss issues concerning their members’ welfare.

During the meeting, the VC disclosed the proposed fee increments for undergraduate students of UNILAG.

The new charges were set nationally and, as such, could not be modified for specific categories of students, as explained by the VC in response to a request for a rebate for staff members with children in the university.

The statement also mentioned that SSANU representative Rasaki Yusuf raised concerns about hostel accommodation for staff wards.

In response, the VC promised that a percentage of accommodation would be reserved for staff wards, but there was no guarantee that all staff children would secure hostel spaces.

Aside from the tuition fee hike, other issues discussed during the meeting included overtime, shift allowance, hazard allowance implementation, staff medical screening, stagnation, the status of UNILAG International School tutors, and the case of one staff member, Dr. Arinye.

UNILAG has taken these steps to address financial matters and improve its facilities and services for the benefit of its students and staff.

The Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Folasade Ogunsola, approved the postponement of academic activities, according to a statement released by the institution, adding that all other university activities, including as inaugural lectures and meetings (apart from teaching), should continue as planned.

It stated that the postponement of the gubernatorial and state House of Assembly elections from Saturday, March 11, 2023, to Saturday, March 18, 2023, was the reason for the postponement of the restart to Tuesday, March 21, 2023.

It read, “It would be recalled that the federal government had directed that students of higher institutions across the country should vacate their schools ahead of the 2023 general elections. As a result, the University Senate had approved the suspension of academic activities (teaching) from Tuesday, February 21, 2023, to Tuesday, March 14, 2023.

“Once again, members of the university community are implored to remain safe and security conscious as well as orderly, civil and responsible in utterances and engagements, online and offline.

“Further updates would be provided as the need arises in the coming days.”

Abel scored 12 points in 8 minutes in his first game of action. Abel got his wish but it appears the Hoopers‘ newly-acquired Player finds himself in the same situation he was trying to escape.

Offia Abel was not available when the Rivers Hoopers faced his former coach who was seen coaching the Comets, on Wednesday. He was out for both the first and the second game due to a sprained right ankle, his teammates told reporters on Wednesday.

On top of that, the defensive-minded coach hinted that Abel’s spot in the rotation isn’t guaranteed. As tantalizing Offia Abel is as a talent, He flashed teases of his potential during last seasons NBBF Finals 8 against the entire league, which he capped with a 17-point effort and plus13 differential in the Semi final Win. However, it can be argued that the lack of a defined role in the loaded Rivers Hoopers lineup could be a culprit, which is a primary reason why the coach decided to sit him out.

Abel had it going a little early on, making just four out of six attempts, but the 17yrs old settled in after hitting back to back 3pts. “It felt great to get the first one out of the way,” Abel said. “Obviously the win is the most important and it was an emotional night. So hooray for me.”

Abel finished the game shooting 4-of-6, making two triples in the win, each to the pleasure of the fans. “Abel’s attitude is always he just wants to eat,” Hoopers coach said. “Kill and eat. That’s how he operates. And he’s a winner. And he wants to do everything he can to win the game. I thought the guys got a great deal of energy from him tonight just being on the floor. Everybody’s excited that he’s back.”

Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Dr Olanrewaju Tejuosho stated this on Monday at the College of Medicine, UNILAG, Idi Araba, Lagos during the flag off of activities to mark the 60th anniversary of the university.

According to the Pro-Chancellor, the endowment fund is targeted at raising funds for the provision of new facilities and the upgrade of old ones in the university.

Meanwhile, Tejuoso has disclosed that the 13th substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, will emerge Friday, this week.

The new VC will take over from Prof. Toyin Ogundipe, the 12th substantive VC, whose tenure ends next month.

The UNILAG union denied this report while restating its commitment to the ongoing strike by the association.

This is was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Chairperson of the branch, Dele Ashiru.

The statement read in part, “The attention of the leadership of ASUU-UNILAG has been drawn to a fake and dubious news purporting that ‘ASUU-UNILAG chapter gives up for the first time, votes for suspension of strike.

“This is to inform the general public that the strike in UNILAG is still in force and there is no threat to it whatsoever.

“ASUU-UNILAG is convinced that the strike action is a just and patriotic struggle to save the public university system in Nigeria from imminent collapse.”

ASUU had on Monday, declared an indefinite strike after its National Executive Meeting.

The students have been asked to vacate the halls of residence by 12noon on Thursday,  July 15, 2021.

A statement released by the Information Unit of the university noted that students who tested positive to the virus recently have been sent to health facilities while contact tracing was in progress.

The statement reads: “The University of Lagos commenced physical classes at the end of May 2021 when the positivity rate of the COVID-19 infection dropped to about one per cent.

“The University Management continued to enforce the COVID-19 protocols in all the teaching and learning spaces as well as the student halls of residence.

“In addition, the COVID-19 vaccination was made available to the staff and students through the support of the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council. Lately, some students have tested positive. These students have been sent to the appropriate designated facilities in the State and contact-tracing has enabled us to identify those who have had exposure and directed them to isolate.

“The situation is, indeed, worrisome especially noting the reluctance of the majority of students to comply with the COVID-19 prevention protocols.

“To avoid the escalation of cases on campus, the University Senate at an emergency meeting held on Wednesday, 14th of July 2021 approved that all students vacate the halls of residence by 12.00pm on Thursday indefinitely. Lectures for the rest of the semester will continue to be delivered virtually with effect from 26th July 2021.”

The project is the initiative of the National Automotive Design and Development Agency (NADDC), under the Elective Vehicle Pilot Project.

The commissioning, which took place on Tuesday at the university’s Faculty of Engineering, was attended by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo.

Others were NADDC Board Chairman, Senator Osita Izunaso; NADDC Director-General, Jelani Aliyu; UNILAG VC, Prof. Oluwatowin Ogundipe; Chief Executive Officer of Stallion Group, Anant Badjatya, among others.

Adebayo said the charging station is aimed at promoting applicable local solutions for vehicle electrification in Nigeria.

The project, he explained, will offer students first-hand experience with the latest innovations in mobility and renewable power technology.

Adebayo said the strategy is to be an effective platform for focused Research and Development (R & D) into applicable electrification solutions for Nigeria and Africa.

The minister described the programme as another initiative of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to promote advanced technology transfer and the development of sophisticated human capital.

In his remarks, Aliyu stressed that the agency is committed to promoting the adoption, development, manufacturing and usage of advanced technology in Nigeria’s automotive sector.

This was contained in a press statement titled ‘2020/2021 post-UTME: notice of postponement’  posted on its website on Thursday.

The university management earlier announced that the screening would hold between Monday, November 30, and Saturday, December 12, 2020.

The statement read: “The University wishes to inform all prospective candidates of the 2020/2021 Post-UTME Screening exercise earlier slated for Monday, November 30 to Saturday, December 12, 2020, that the screening has been postponed.

“New dates will be communicated as soon as possible. Any inconvenience occasioned by

this postponement is highly regretted.”