Some students of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Effurun, in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, on Wednesday barricaded the East-West Road and all access routes to the university campus to protest an alleged increase in tuition fees.
The protesters, who carried placards with various inscriptions, sang solidarity songs and danced along the busy highway, causing heavy traffic in the area.
However, the President of the Student Union Government (SUG), Comrade Edemakiota Etiosa distanced the union from the demonstration.
Speaking with our correspondent via telephone, he said: “No, we are not part of the protest. I have spoken with the students and asked them to calm down. I have already communicated their grievances to the management, but it feels like both sides have put me in the middle. Honestly, it’s exhausting.”
Confirming the incident in a separate telephone interview from Abuja, FUPRE Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ezekiel Oghenenyerovwo Agbalagba, described the protesters as “faceless individuals” who are not recognised by the SUG.
According to him, the university management is still in discussions with the student union regarding the proposed fee review, and no decision has been finalised.
“We have held about five meetings with the SUG on the issue of reviewing charges, but we have not concluded. Someone apparently got hold of a draft document from our discussions and circulated it online as the new school fees. That information is false,” Prof. Agbalagba explained.
He added that all negotiations were temporarily suspended until after the ongoing examinations.
“We agreed to resume talks next week after exams. This morning, I heard they blocked the road, but even the SUG president has disclaimed involvement. These people are unknown to us. I am releasing an official memo in the next few minutes to clarify the situation.”
Prof. Agbalagba also dismissed viral social media claims about finalised fees, describing them as “politically motivated attempts to discredit” his administration.
“Those posts online are not from the university management. Some individuals may be trying to exploit the situation for their own interests. We know the proper dialogue channel, and the SUG is aware of where discussions ended.”
The Vice Chancellor further disclosed that students are expected to conclude their examinations tomorrow, adding that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is planning to commence a strike next week.
“If we do not manage this properly before next week, the situation could worsen,” he cautioned.
