The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) Students’ Union Government (SUG) has announced the finalized school fees for the 2025/2026 academic session after a long and heated negotiation process with the institution’s management. Following weeks of intense dialogue, arguments, and concessions, the Union revealed that the initial increment of ₦65,000 has been drastically reduced to a much lighter financial burden for students across all levels.
According to the official statement released on August 20, 2025, the agreed school fees are now as follows: 100 Level students will pay ₦205,000; 200 Level students ₦164,950; 300 Level students ₦154,950; 400 Level students ₦127,500; and Final Year students ₦107,500. However, Engineering and Veterinary students will still bear the usual additional charges associated with their programmes. This revised structure represents a major concession compared to earlier proposals by management.
Comrade Isaiah Olamilekan Michael, the SUG President, emphasized that each figure represented more than just numbers. He noted that behind every ₦5,000 reduction was a heated argument, and behind every concession gained was a moment of tension. According to him, “Each reduction is a story of resistance. For every downward adjustment, there was a victory snatched from the jaws of imposition.”
The negotiation process was not without its dramatic moments. At one point, the university management proposed figures that the Union described as “crippling to the student body entirely.” The SUG resisted, holding firm to their stance that the Nigerian student already struggles to survive on less than ₦500 daily. The Union insisted that further burdening students and their families was unacceptable in the current economic climate.
In defending the proposed hike, the university management reportedly cited reasons such as initiation costs, running expenses, and inflationary pressures. However, the Union countered with the realities of students’ financial struggles, emphasizing that accessibility to education must remain a priority. The Union maintained that quality education cannot be pursued at the expense of affordability and inclusivity.
Eventually, the long-drawn deliberations produced what the Union has described as a “negotiated settlement” that, while not entirely what the student body had hoped for, was significantly lighter than the initial proposal. “We did not walk out with everything we wanted, but we walked out with what was achievable,” Comrade Michael explained. He praised students for their patience, unity, and unwavering support throughout the struggle.
The SUG Public Relations Officer, Comrade Oyekan Abdulrahman Ayomide, also highlighted the collective effort that made the victory possible. According to him, “The struggle was never about individuals but about the collective survival of the Nigerian student. This is proof that when students stand united, their voices can bring down the strongest walls of imposition.”
Students across different faculties have expressed mixed reactions to the outcome. While many commended the Union for securing a reduction, others argued that the new figures were still considerably high given the current economic hardship in Nigeria. Some students emphasized the need for further government intervention to subsidize education in federal institutions, stressing that no student should be forced to drop out due to unaffordable fees.
Education analysts have also weighed in on the matter, noting that while the negotiated fees are still above what many families can comfortably afford, the concessions demonstrate the power of dialogue and organized resistance in academic communities. They urged both the government and university management to explore more sustainable funding models that would reduce reliance on constant fee hikes.
The Students’ Union has reassured its members that the fight for affordable education is not over. Comrade Michael reiterated that the Union will continue to hold management accountable and resist any future arbitrary increases. “This battle may be over, but the struggle continues. Our victory today is a reminder that we must remain vigilant tomorrow,” he declared.
