By Bassey Emem
On the 6th of february , chaos erupted at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, as students protested against a sudden hike in tuition fees.
The protest turned violent, leading to the suspension of academic activities indefinitely.
The turmoil began early Tuesday morning when students gathered to express their dissatisfaction with the university’s decision to increase school fees.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Maduebibisi Iwe, announced the suspension of academic activities following the disruptive protest, which resulted in the destruction of university property and attacks on officials.
The university management, concerned for the safety of students and staff, ordered an immediate shutdown of the campus. Students were instructed to vacate the premises by 5:00 PM on February 6, 2024.According to Victoria, a computer science student, the university had threatened to bar students from writing semester exams unless they paid the newly imposed fees, adding to the frustration and tension among the student body.
Despite appeals from the Student Union Government General Secretary, Enyioma Godslove, for peaceful resolution, the protest escalated.
The situation worsened when police arrived at the scene and fired shots into the air, causing panic among market vendors and residents near the campus.
Similar protests against fee hikes have occurred at other Nigerian universities in recent months, including the University of Lagos and the Federal University of Technology, Akure.
Students across the country have criticized the increases as unjust and called on the government to prioritize education funding over other expenditures.
The unrest at Michael Okpara University highlights the growing discontent among students regarding access to affordable education.
The suspension of academic activities underscores the urgency for dialogue and resolution between university management and students to address the underlying issues fueling the protest.