LASU VC: Student protests needless

Vice chancellor of the Lagos State University, Prof. John Obafunwa, has condemned recent protests by students of the institution over increase in tuition fee.

Speaking with Channels television on Monday, Obafunwa said the upward review of the fees was for the upgrade the institution and subvention of staff salaries.

He recalled that the issue had been on since 2011 when a visitation panel from the state government assessed the school, and then came up with a report that was implemented after consultations with the senate and student union.

“We cannot completely exonerate the university, because when the report got to the school, the university reviewed it. Both the senate and the student union agreed to it,” he said.

He justified the protest but condemned the destructive nature that it has escalated to, advising the students to embrace dialogue as a means of resolving the issue.

“We do not have to be destructive or take lives, because this will give the university a bad name,” he said.

“As you know, the state government has set up a committee to look at the submissions. There is need to put certain things into perspective and bear in mind the repercussions.”

The ad hoc committee set up by the government to resolve the issue is expected to present its report also on Monday.

Following the increase in fees, which ranged from N25,000/N35,000 to N150, 000/N348,000, students of the institution embarked on series of protests demanding a reduction.