The Management of Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, says students of the institution were duly informed before the increment in school fees, which sparked off protest among students of the institution on Monday and continued on Tuesday.
Tension hightened on Tuesday at Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, following the disagreement between students and the University authority over “No fee, no exam policy” of the University authority.
Speaking with the Public Relations Officer, Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Mr Patrick Oparah on phone, he maintained that the hike of the fees was not done without prior information. He said the students were duly informed.
On the accusation that the University authority mislead the students by using the CBT to discover those who have paid their fees instead of using it to checkmate exam malpractices among students’, the PRO, said it is all lies, adding that the purpose for the introduction of the CBT has not changed.
The PRO of the institution said the University authority is still working hard to resolve the situation, adding that for now, the 1st Semester exam has been put on hold.
Recall that MOUAU, had commenced exams on Monday, February 5th, 2024, but protests by students over hike in school fees has marred the free conduct of the semester exam.
When In9ja.com, spoke to a 300 level student in the department of Computer Engineering, earlier who pleaded anonymity, he said problem started yesterday when the University authority led by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, went from College to College driving out students who had not paid their fees from the examination hall.
The student said though the fees were high due to the hardship in the land, some of the students begged to be allowed to write the exam and notify their parents /guardians later. But the persistence of the University authority forced the students to stage protests around the University environment.
Another student who does not want her name and Department published, hinted that the increment of school fees was announced last year while on 2nd February, a circular by the Registrar, Dr. Mrs. Nkeiruka Mbanasor informed students who had not paid their fees that they would not be allowed to write their fees.
In9ja.com gathered that an increment of over 60% was made on the fees which angered students of the institution.