The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Federal Polytechnic Offa (FEDPOFFA) on Monday, March 2, 2026, organised a peaceful demonstration against the recent rise in tuition and hostel charges, stressing that students’ welfare should come first.
Speaking to students at the main entrance of the institution, SUG President, Comrade AbdulAzeez Majeed Olanrewaju, popularly known as Achiever, explained that the union embarked on what he termed a “redemption journey” to defend and protect the rights of the student body.
He recounted that shortly after academic activities resumed, the management announced a proposed 45 per cent increase in school fees, but following the union’s engagement, it was reviewed downward to 25 per cent.
“Suddenly, they increased the accommodation fee from N60,000 to N80,000. After the intervention of stakeholders, it was reduced by N5,000,” he said.
The union leader also raised concerns about how previous payments made by students were being utilised, particularly the yearly N2,000 contribution for the Tertiary Institutions’ Social Health Insurance Programme (TI-SHIP).
According to him, based on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) guidelines, TI-SHIP is meant to substitute the traditional medical service charges in tertiary institutions.
“We are paying for TI-SHIP and still paying for medical services, yet there are no drugs at the medical centre. If a student goes there now, they will say there is no medicine,” he said.
He further criticised the enforcement of a “no school fees, no test” directive, describing it as unjust and capable of placing unnecessary strain on students.
“It is not done anywhere. They cannot force students to pay and put pressure on them. The pressure is a risk to their academic pursuit,” he said.
Comrade Achiever additionally expressed worry over overcrowding in certain departments, mentioning Mass Communication, Business Administration and Library and Information Science as cases in point.
“In Mass Communication, over 900 students were admitted without adequate structures. The same applies to Business Administration and Library and Information Science,” he said.
He revealed that more than 10,000 students were admitted and acceptance fees collected, questioning why essential infrastructure and facilities across the campus had not been improved.
“If they want students to pay, we are not discouraging payment. But they must fix the necessary areas on campus so that students can see the services they are paying for,” he added.
The SUG president stated that the protest was intended to ensure that the welfare and rights of students were adequately safeguarded.
“We have nothing to gain by closing the school gate. The moment our demands are met, we will open the school. Our goal is to ensure that the interest of the students is protected,” he said.
