Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, found itself embroiled in student protests, amidst escalating tensions over a purported 60% hike in school fees, prompting a halt in academic activities and a surge in security measures on campus.
According to Daily Post, the demonstrations, which erupted during ongoing semester examinations, were sparked by allegations that the university administration prevented students who hadn’t paid or completed their increased fees from sitting for exams, notably affecting final-year students under a ‘No fees, No exam’ protocol.
Describing the scene, Kelechi Ofoedu, a final-year student, lamented the disruption: “The development disrupted the first-semester examination, which started on Monday, appealing to the Federal Government to come to their rescue.”
Witnesses recounted clashes between students and university officials, resulting in property damage, including the administrative block, and turmoil across campus. Some officials reportedly fled their offices to evade confrontation with aggrieved students.
Reflecting on the unrest, a 300-level female student, Blessing, highlighted the escalation: “The crisis, which started in one of the halls, soon spread to other halls and, later, to the main gate of the university.”
In response, the university administration, citing safety concerns, mulled over the prospect of an indefinite closure, as Vice-Chancellor Professor M. O. Iwe remained elusive for comment on allegations of excessive force and student grievances.
A statement from the university read, “This is to notify the public that the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State woke up to experience the violation of the long-existing peace of the University this morning.
“Miscreants took over the University, chasing and pursuing the Vice-Chancellor, damaging his official vehicle and those of his officials claiming that they were not allowed to take their 1st Semester examination owing to their failure to pay their charges.
“The University’s record show that more than 70% of the students had paid their charges and were peacefully taking their examinations, while more than two thousand were in the queue to pay and register their courses before the miscreants and hoodlums took the stage to cause trouble and disrupted the long-standing peace of the University.
“To safeguard life and properties on Campus, the University Management has on behalf of the Senate ordered an indefinite down the University indefinitely.”
“All students are advised to vacate the University premises immediately, but not later than 5.00pm on Tuesday, 6th February 2024.
Attempting to clarify the situation, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Patrick Opara, refuted claims of indiscriminate actions: “The protest was hijacked by some miscreants to destroy school property. It is very unfortunate.”
