The 2017/2018 graduating students of University of Ilorin are currently at loggerheads with the management of the institution over the inability to register on National Youth Service Corps’ portal and what they termed as ‘ridiculously outrageous’ convocation fee.
The convoking students who are at joyous mood over the successful completion of the academic activities calendar were thrown a shock early hours of Saturday.
It was reported that as the much awaited NYSC portal was opened for registration of 2018 Batch C corps members, the awaiting prospective corps members were denied access to registration because the school has not sent their names to the scheme.
One of the immediate past executives of the UNILORIN Students’ Union who is also among among the affected students, confided in InsightMedia that the list is still with the university management.
He said, “Yes, they (the school management) haven’t gotten the list across to the NYSC headquarters”.
Several students with the hopes of getting juicy states like Lagos, FCT, Rivers and others have conceded defeats and believe that their hopes have been dashed as these states might have been reached their registration quota before they are granted access.
While contacted, the incumbent Pubic Relations Officer of the union, Isa Abass Usman seemed to be unaware as he had to ask someone beside him who later told him the challenge. He then promised to get back to our correspondent.
His response however allayed the fears as he said the graduands will from Monday have access to the portal.
On the huge sum of 20,880 naira convocation, the graduands are currently lamenting and wondering why they will have to pay almost the same final year tuition for convocation ceremony.
Many of them have taken to social media to express their displeasure over the amount and hope the institution management significantly reduce the amount.
In the meantime, one of the convoking students, Abdusalam Bello has sent a text message to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Age Abdulkareem to complain about the payment but the VC is yet to respond as at the time of filing this report.
Students’ Union Arranges Meeting With Management To Negotiate Reduction
The Students’ Union has through a message signed by the Executive President, Emmanuel Oluseyi and the PRO, Isa Usman has assured the graduands of prompt action but however dissociate itself from the rumoured protest on campus.
The statement reads, “The Student Union has reached out to the university management on the issue of the graduation fee of N20,800 which has generated much tension among concerned students.
“We are pleased to inform the students that the Union was not involved in the initial agreement and has consequently taken bold and necessary steps to arrange for an official meeting in a bid to get to the root of the matter and make appeal to the management as necessary.
“Meanwhile, we are using this medium to dissociate ourselves from a circulating broadcast that the Student Union is planning to make a peaceful demonstration with some students on Monday. This information is untrue and unauthentic as consultations with appropriate quarters are ongoing.
“While we urge students to be calm and unperturbed, be rest assured that our unswerving determinations to invest in people remain acutely unshakable.
