The administration of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), located in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has declared a one-week suspension of academic operations.
The Registrar of the Polytechnic, Mrs. Olubunmi Elewodalu, conveyed this information in a statement issued to the media on Monday evening.
She explained that the decision to temporarily shut down the institution was prompted by the ongoing situation, specifically alluding to the student protest that occurred earlier on Monday.
Elewodalu stated, “The temporary suspension of the academic activities is a result of the need to address the prevailing circumstances in the polytechnic.”
“The suspension of the academic activities will be effective from Monday, October 9, to Friday, October 13, 2023. During this period all students are directed to stay away from the campus until otherwise directed.”
On Monday morning, the school’s students staged a protest against several grievances, including the increase in the acceptance fee for newly admitted students.
Starting as early as 7 a.m., the students gathered at the campus gate, brandishing placards that bore slogans like “#No To Tuition Fee Increase,” “#Rector Must Resign,” “#Release our Results ASAP,” and others.
The Nigeria Police Force personnel were also in attendance at the location.
Addressing the demonstrators, Babatunde Adelola, the President of the Students’ Union at the institution, stated, “We have many reasons to protest. Recently, the school said they were not getting funding from the state government and they needed to generate funds internally, which was why they increased the acceptance fee from N35,000 to N50,500.
“Aside from the hike in fee, the delay in the release of our result is affecting students. For instance, those who graduated in the last session have yet to be mobilized for service. I am in HND 2 second semester and I have yet to see the result of the exams I took in HND 1 second semester. This is affecting students because they do not know their academic standing and how well to prepare for the next exams.”