The Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, has taken the unprecedented step of indefinitely suspending all academic activities following student protests against a recent hike in school fees.
According to a statement released by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Maduebibisi Iwe, the university management made the decision after a violent protest erupted on Tuesday morning, disrupting the peace on campus.
The statement issued by the university management reads, “To ensure the safety of lives and property within the university premises, the management, acting on behalf of the Senate, has declared an indefinite shutdown of the university.”
All students have been instructed to vacate the campus immediately, with the deadline set for 5:00 pm on Tuesday, February 6, 2024.
Reports indicate that the protest was marred by acts of vandalism, with some individuals damaging university property and even attacking the official vehicle of the Vice Chancellor and other officials.
A student, Victoria, revealed that the university administration had threatened to bar students from taking their semester examinations unless they paid the increased tuition fees. This stance also affected final year students, further exacerbating tensions.
Meanwhile, the Student Union Government General Secretary, Enyioma Godslove, has issued a statement urging fellow students to refrain from violence. He emphasized the need for peaceful resolution and called for calm as discussions continue on the matter.
Videos circulating online depict police presence on the school premises, with officers firing shots into the air to disperse protesting students, causing panic among nearby market traders who fled their stalls, leaving their goods behind.
This incident echoes similar protests seen in other universities across Nigeria, such as the University of Lagos and the Federal University of Technology, Akure, where students rallied against proposed fee hikes, citing concerns over affordability and equitable access to education.
