The Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has been thrown into unrest following management’s decision to raise tuition fees for the 2025/2026 academic session by between 100% and 120%, leading to protests by the Students’ Union Government (SUG).
Under the new schedule, fresh students in Engineering and Environmental Design are to pay ₦250,000, while Communication, Media, and Computing students will pay ₦235,500.
Fees for Arts, Education, and Social Sciences have risen to ₦200,000. Returning students who previously paid ₦60,000 or less are now expected to pay between ₦120,000 and ₦150,000.
The SUG, under the leadership of President Comrade Adio James, condemned the increment as “a death sentence to the aspirations of countless students,” and issued a 24-hour ultimatum demanding a reversal and dialogue with management. The union warned that protests, boycotts of registration, and other lawful actions would follow if the demands were not met.
Students and parents expressed frustration over the hike, citing economic hardship. Some students said they may drop out or defer their studies, while parents described the new fees as unsustainable given inflation and stagnant incomes.
Critics also questioned the justification for the hike, pointing to overcrowded lecture halls, poorly maintained hostels, and erratic electricity supply. Social media campaigns under hashtags such as #ReverseFUOYEFees and #EducationNotExtortion have further amplified the students’ anger.
Analysts warn that the increment, one of the highest among federal universities, risks pushing FUOYE closer to private university rates and undermining its commitment to affordable education, for which the institution is known. They urged dialogue as a path to balance funding needs with student welfare.
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