The Student Union Government (SUG), of the University of Ibadan (UI), has condemned the commercialisation of university education, stressing that commercialisation of education would retard Nigeria’s progress.
Comrade Aweda Bolaji Damilola stated this today in his acceptance speech as the newly elected President of the University of Ibadan Students’ Union after the new exco was inaugurated in the Trenchard Hall of the institution.
Newly Inaugurated UI SUG in Group Photograph with the School Management
He said, “The jettisoning of the educational system by all past and current administrations that are equally culpable and subsequent commercialisation of institutions remains quite worrisome. Because, one can only wonder what progress we aspire to as a country, given that no nation makes good progress without quality education. It will remain a point of action, for us as a Union to oppose the commercialization of public education and attempts to place it beyond the reach of the common Nigerian. We state that education is a right and should not be reduced to an elitist commodity.”
Aweda commended the effort of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in resisting the commercialisation of education, adding, “We commend their efforts to protect education from petty commercialization.”
Aweda also condemned the increase in school fees in the nation’s Premier University saying, “It is important to note that the new fee of the University of Ibadan is way beyond reach of the majority of students in the school. Most students at the University of Ibadan chose this institution because they considered it a haven where they could attain quality tertiary education at prices relatively attainable to the common man. However, the new fee schedule defeats the purpose and threatens their very studentship itself. Therefore, We call on the government and relevant stakeholders to review these fees as the economic reality of the country is already too harsh on the common man.”
