11th July, 2011
Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi today ordered a 50 per cent reduction in the tuition fees paid in tertiary institutions in the state.
According a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Festus Adedayo, Ajimobi gave the directive in Ibadan, capital of Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria after a marathon meeting with heads of tertiary institutions in the state.
The reduction of fees will take effect as from next session.
Former governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala, had increased fees in all tertiary institutions in the state by 100 percent before he left office on 29 May.
The governor said the directive was borne out of his concern for the welfare of students in the institutions and in fulfillment of his electoral promise to the people.
The governor recalled that he had promised that he would reduce tuiton fees in tertiary institutions in the state as a way of addressing the challenges faced by students in the state.
He said: “We have always been committed to improving the welfare of students in the state.”
The governor called on the students to reciprocate the gesture of the government by ensuring peace and tranquility in the institutions in the state.
The statement said that the reduction in the fees of students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) will however take effect after consultation with the Osun State government.
Governor Ajimobi also promised to undertake further actions in the near future to improve the welfare of students in the state, stating that as leaders of tomorrow, the government has a responsibility to ensure that the students enjoy conducive environment while learning.
By Gbenro Adesina