OAU Students Demand Accountability as Promised Accommodation Refunds Delay

Abdulbasit Abdulkareem

The accommodation fees for both fresher and returning students of the Obafemi Awolowo University sparked controversy at the beginning of the 2022/23 session. After initially increased to #30,000 for new students and #25,000 for returning students, there was a wild ride of revisions.

Days after the session commenced, returning students saw their accommodation fees temporarily spike to #30,000 on the school portal, causing confusion among the students. While some students promptly paid the revised amount, the university later reverted the fee back to the original #25,000, promising to refund the excess #5,000 to those who had already paid the higher amount.

With a November 16, 2023 deadline set by the university, affected students were instructed to submit refund requests to the Bursary Office. However, as of today, no refunds have been processed, leaving students frustrated and questioning the university's integrity.

In an interview with an OAU Kilonshele reporter, a student expressed disappointment, stating, "The school lacks integrity and hasn't fulfilled its promise after instructing us to write letters and submit them, which we promptly did." The student urged the university management to expedite the refund process to prevent discrimination among returning students who paid varying amounts.

In a conversation with another affected student, there was a heartfelt plea to the university administration to expedite the #5,000 refund. The student emphasized the challenging economic situation in Nigeria, highlighting the financial strains faced by students.

"Many of us are going through difficult situations as students in this country. Every naira counts, and the promised refund of #5,000 means a lot to us," the student stated. The plea further stated the urgency for the university to fulfill its commitment and provide financial relief to students grappling with the economic realities of being enrolled at OAU.

This appeal adds an emotional dimension to the ongoing issue, emphasizing the immediate impact that the delayed refund is having on the affected students' lives.

As the students await action from the university, the delay in refunding the promised #5,000 continues to fuel discontent, raising concerns about transparency and accountability within the institution.