By Funmilayo Bayo
The University of Benin (UNIBEN) students have expressed outrage over a sudden increase in hostel accommodation fees. The Association of Southern Nigerian Students (ASONIS) has condemned the fee hike, calling it a “shameful betrayal” of student trust, and accusing the Student Union Government (SUG) of colluding with the university management to impose an unjustified financial burden on students while sidelining the parliament.
In a statement signed by ASONIS Secretary-General, Come. Olusola Ezekiel, the association criticized the UNIBEN SUG leadership for engaging in secret negotiations with management without consulting the parliament or the student body – the institution is meant to hold the union accountable.
According to ASONIS, the SUG president held a private meeting with the university officials, only for the parliament to accidentally discover the discussion. The statement had questions like, “If the speaker and clerk had not coincidentally stumbled upon the meeting, would the parliament have ever been informed? What else is being hidden from students?”
ASONIS also stated that the fact the management rushed to update the KOFA portal with the new fees before reaching a final resolution shows that it’s a deliberate act of exploitation and not a mistake. He questioned, “Who gave the order? Why the desperation to push through a decision that had not been fully debated?
He also stated that it’s becoming more clear that certain student leaders are not acting in the interest of their fellow students but for their personal gains.
He pointed out that any student leader who sides with management against students suppresses transparency, and facilitates unjustified fee increments has thereby sold out the student body and deserves to be exposed and held accountable.
ASONIS hereby gave some Immediate Demands
1. The University Management Must suspend the Fee Hike Immediately.
2. An Emergency Open Dialogue Must Be Held, no more secret,backdoor meeting between a compromised SUG Executive and Management.
3. Student Union Leaders Must Remember Who They Represent.
The group warms that Any SUG president or official who pander to management at the expense of students is unfit for leadership.
As tension rose, ASONIS gave a final warning that” it’s not just about UNIBEN -it is about the integrity of student leadership across Nigeria.that if university authorities and compromised student leaders think they can continue to make decisions without involving students,they should be prepared for unprecedented resistance.”the statement reads.
With the controversy gaining momentum, all eyes remains on UNIBEN’S management and the SUG leadership to see whether they will heed to student demands or face growing unrest on campus.
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