A wave of public outrage is sweeping across Osun State following the sudden increase in tuition and hostel fees at Osun State University (UniOsun). Students, parents, and civil society groups have decried the move, describing it as “anti-people” and “economically insensitive,” especially at a time when inflation and unemployment are weighing heavily on Nigerian families.
The controversy began last week when UniOsun announced new tuition rates and accommodation fees for the 2025/2026 academic session. The changes, according to the affected students, represent a sharp departure from the previous session’s rates. Some departments reportedly witnessed an increment of over 70%, while hostel charges in certain campuses almost doubled. For many families, the increase is simply unaffordable.
Reactions have been swift and emotional. Across various campuses including Osogbo, Ikire, Ejigbo, and Ifetedo students have taken to social media and public gatherings to express frustration. On X (formerly Twitter), hashtags like #SaveUniOsunStudents, #EducationForAll, and #ReverseTheFees have been trending, drawing attention from alumni and education activists nationwide.
Parents have also joined the outcry, accusing both the university and the state government of neglecting their social responsibility. One parent lamented, “Education is fast becoming something only the rich can afford. How do you expect civil servants, petty traders, or artisans to pay these fees when salaries are irregular and food prices are soaring?” This sentiment has been echoed in multiple interviews and online discussions.
For many students, the fee hike represents not just an academic challenge but a possible end to their dreams. A 200-level student of Political Science at the Osogbo campus described her fear: “My parents told me to withdraw because they can’t meet the new payment. I might have to stay at home and reapply next year if nothing changes.” Others have shared similar stories of despair and uncertainty about their educational future.
Meanwhile, university officials have maintained silence. No official explanation or justification has been issued from UniOsun’s management regarding the reasons behind the hike. The state government, led by Governor Ademola Adeleke, has also remained quiet, further fueling public anger. Stakeholders say the absence of communication suggests indifference to the plight of struggling students and their families.
Education advocacy groups have condemned the development, warning that the policy could worsen dropout rates and deepen inequality in access to higher education. The Osun State Students’ Coalition, in a statement released on Monday, called on the governor to immediately intervene, describing the situation as “a betrayal of public trust and a violation of students’ rights to affordable education.”
Alumni of the university have also begun mobilizing online to pressure the management into reconsidering its decision. They argue that while institutions must pursue financial sustainability, such measures should never come at the expense of accessibility and fairness. One alumnus wrote, “The solution to funding challenges should not be to punish students. There are other avenues, partnerships, endowments, and state subsidies that can sustain the system without pricing people out.”
Observers believe that UniOsun’s management may be struggling with rising operational costs, inadequate subsidies from the state, and the need to maintain infrastructure and staff salaries. However, many insist that any such decision must be accompanied by transparency and dialogue. The lack of public consultation before implementing the new fees is one of the key grievances of both students and parents.
The situation has drawn attention from national education bodies and unions. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Osun Zone, has urged the state government to review its funding model for public institutions, warning that continuous neglect of affordable education will erode the country’s human capital base. The union emphasized that “no meaningful development can take place in a society where higher education becomes a privilege rather than a right.”
On social media, the conversation has gone beyond UniOsun, touching on the broader issue of rising costs across Nigerian universities. Commenters note that as tuition increases outpace household incomes, higher education risks becoming exclusionary. One viral post captured the frustration succinctly: “We are not asking for free education, we are asking for fairness and humanity.”
Community leaders, clerics, and civil organizations have also called for calm while urging dialogue between the university management and the government. Some warn that ignoring the growing tension could lead to protests similar to those witnessed in other states where students took to the streets to demand a reversal of fee hikes.
As of now, uncertainty hangs over UniOsun’s campuses. Parents are holding their breath, students are hoping for a reprieve, and the public is waiting for a statement from either the university or Governor Adeleke. The situation serves as a crucial test for the government’s commitment to inclusive education in Osun State.
For many, this crisis is more than a debate about numbers; it is about the soul of public education itself. If access to learning becomes a privilege for the few, the dreams of thousands of young Nigerians could fade into silence. The question now is whether those in power will listen before it’s too late.
