OAU Students Protest ₦16,000 Chemistry Manual as Union Orders Immediate Suspension of Payment

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09/04/26 • 20 विचारों • 0 शेयर करना • में प्रकाशित अन्य

Tension has erupted at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, following the introduction of a ₦16,000 practical manual for CHM102, a development that has sparked widespread outrage among students ..

Tension has erupted at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, following the introduction of a ₦16,000 practical manual for CHM102, a development that has sparked widespread outrage among students and prompted intervention from the Students’ Union.

The controversy began after students were informed that the manual—required for an introductory chemistry course—would cost ₦16,000. The announcement quickly triggered backlash across the campus, with many undergraduates describing the price as excessive and financially burdensome.

Several students expressed frustration over what they described as a growing trend of rising academic material costs within the university. A Part 1 student of Medicine and Surgery, who spoke anonymously, said the price came as a shock, noting that students already spend significant amounts on manuals and course materials each semester.

“I was shocked when I saw the price,” the student said, explaining that she had spent close to ₦30,000 on manuals in the previous semester alone, far exceeding what many students in other universities reportedly pay.

Another student from the Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Moses, said the new charge adds to existing financial pressures faced by students. According to him, undergraduates must already contend with rising costs of feeding, transportation, and other academic expenses.

Students from the Department of Pure Chemistry also questioned the justification for the pricing. One student, Adewale Flourish, argued that even if production costs have increased, the ₦16,000 charge remains difficult for many students to afford, particularly when combined with the cost of manuals required for other courses.

The growing discontent prompted swift action from the Great Ife Students’ Union, which said it had received numerous complaints and distress calls from affected students. In an official statement dated April 7, 2026, the union described the fee as “exorbitant” and directed students to immediately suspend all payments pending further discussions with the relevant authorities.

“We have engaged the Department of Chemistry and other relevant stakeholders to address this issue,” the union said, urging students not to make any payments until a more affordable resolution is reached.

While the union’s directive has temporarily eased tensions on campus, many students remain concerned about the final outcome of the negotiations and the broader implications for academic costs.

Education observers say the incident reflects a wider concern about the rising cost of academic materials in Nigerian tertiary institutions. Analysts warn that if such trends persist, they could gradually erode access to higher education for students from low-income backgrounds.

For now, the controversial chemistry manual has become more than just a course requirement—it has ignited a larger debate about affordability, equity, and the true cost of university education in Nigeria.

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