Photocredit: Naira metrics

By John Taiwo Adeniji

Known to the student populace,  students’ membership in departmental and faculty associations, and hostels warrants sessional commitment in terms of funds to these bodies to aid the proper operation of most of these associations. Oftentimes, these dues are increased to meet the demands of the nation’s failing economy, and of course, at the detriment of many students who can hardly make ends meet, talkless of pay for basic dues. In the midst of the recent decline in the buoyancy of the nation’s economy, the worst of its kind in the nation’s history with inflation rising to a whopping 33.69 percent (%) for all items (year on change), student leaders have resort to increasing the basic dues payable by members of their associations. This resolution is true in light of a recent proposal by the Council of Faculty Presidents and the Council of Hall Chairpersons before the University of Ibadan Students’ Representative Council to increase basic dues from three thousand Naira (N3,000), which was paid during the last session to four thousand Naira (N4,000).

Not undermining the downturn in the nation’s economy which may have spurred the proposal of an increase in basic dues by the Council of Faculty Presidents and the Council of Hall Chairpersons in a bid to maintain the smooth operation of student associations and meet up with their financial demands, context needs to be put into perspective in various ways along the line of the pros and cons of such increment: what are the implications of an increment on the student populace? What are its implications on the associations themselves? In what ways can associations cut down on their budgets to make it economy-friendly? Answers to these and myriads of other questions would help to reach a compromise, and at the same time virtuously attest to student leaders’ commitment to the welfare of the students whom they are leading.

Except for few faculties that are not branched into departments, virtually all students are, at the least, mandatory members of two associations, precisely departmental and faculty associations, barring that some of these students are also residents in different halls of residence on campus where, unarguably, they would also make financial contributions in terms of basic dues. All of these are not coupled with other cost implications that come with being a student, as well as other financial commitments in different student bodies which students may belong to. An increment to the sum of four thousand Naira for example would imply a compulsory sum of eight thousand Naira for students as a commitment fee at both the departmental and associations level. Students who are residents in halls of residence would then, without fail, have to pay the sum of twelve thousand Naira to be financial members at their department, faculty, and halls of residence. Student leaders who are compassionate of students’ struggles would realise that the necessity attributed to an increment in basic dues can be compromised for the better good of students in terms of the offer of an affordable basic dues.

Although this proposal has been rejected with the Students’ Representative Council maintaining that the sum of three thousand Naira remains the maximum payable dues, questions linger on the compliance of student associations with the unions’ resolution. In the light of any uncertainty that may linger as regards compliance, we urge the student union to enforce compliance with its resolution as students resume for the new academic session. Besides, the recent increment in the bundle fee for students should attract the solidarity of student leaders to maintain the current amount if they can not reduce it. Meanwhile, recall that the fee rose to the current three thousand Naira from two thousand five hundred Naira which it used to be.

We commend Honourable Peace Babatimehin of Sultan Bello Hall Constituency for moving the motion to maintain the basic dues and the Students’ Representative Council’s commitment to student welfarism in its resolution: “The Council’s decision reflects a steadfast commitment to representing the interests of the students by not increasing the financial burden on any student. We aim to ensure that education remains accessible and affordable, reaffirming our dedication to the welfare of the student body amidst the current economic challenges”. We also appeal to other stakeholders who might have opposed the motion to condescend to abide by the council’s resolution in the spirit of unionism.

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In the midst of the recent decline in the buoyancy of the nation’s economy, the worst of its kind in the nation’s history with inflation rising to a whopping 33.69 percent (%) for all items (year on change), student leaders have resort to increasing the basic dues payable by members of their associations.

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