Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, commenced a peaceful sit-at-home protest on Monday, August 3, 2026, following a directive from the institution's Students' Union Government (SUG) over the recent increase in school fees. The union directed all students to remain at home and refrain from attending lectures or participating in any academic activities, citing unsuccessful engagements with the management of the institution over the reviewed fees. The directive marks the latest escalation in a growing dispute between the student body and the polytechnic's administration, coming amid mounting economic hardship that has made it increasingly difficult for many students and parents to bear additional financial burdens.
In a statement issued on Sunday, August 2, 2026, the SUG leadership said the decision followed a series of consultations with the management since the revised fees appeared on the students' portal. The statement, signed by the Students' Union President, Afolabi Temitope, alongside the Acting Speaker, Olorode Kehinde, General Secretary, Ekundayo Gbenga, and Public Relations Officer, Oloyede Ganiyu, said the union had consistently maintained that the welfare and interests of students must remain paramount in every decision affecting their academic pursuits. "Despite our sustained efforts and several rounds of dialogue, the concerns of students remain unresolved. The Students' Union believes that the prevailing economic realities make it increasingly difficult for many students and parents to bear additional financial burdens," the statement read.
The union stressed that the action was a peaceful expression of students' concerns and not an invitation to violence, destruction of property, intimidation, or any act capable of disrupting the peace and reputation of the institution. It advised students to maintain peace, order, and discipline, avoid confrontation with members of staff, security personnel, and fellow students, and rely only on information officially released by the Students' Union Government. The union further appealed to shuttle operators, commercial drivers, tricycle operators, and other transport service providers within the polytechnic community to suspend operations within and around the campus in solidarity with the protest.
The fee hike comes at a time when Nigerian students and their families are grappling with soaring inflation, rising costs of living, and the lingering effects of the government's economic reforms. The union noted that the current economic climate has made it increasingly difficult for many parents and students to cope with additional financial burdens, and that the fee increase, if left unchecked, could force many students to drop out of school or struggle to complete their academic programmes. The SUG's decision to resort to a sit-at-home protest reflects the depth of frustration among the student body, who feel that their concerns have been ignored by the polytechnic's management despite repeated engagements.
While reaffirming its commitment to dialogue with the institution's management, the union said the protest should not be interpreted as the end of negotiations. "This directive does not signify the end of engagement with the Management. Rather, it is a demonstration that while dialogue continues, the collective concerns of MAPOLY students cannot be overlooked," the statement added. The union expressed hope that the peaceful action would encourage the authorities to reconsider the fee increase in the interest of students while pledging to continue pursuing constructive engagement with the management.
The protest comes barely 24 hours after the SUG issued the directive, and it remains unclear how the polytechnic's management will respond to the students' action. The institution's management has yet to issue an official statement on the protest, and it is not known whether the authorities are willing to reconsider the fee increase or whether they will take disciplinary action against students who participate in the sit-at-home. The MAPOLY campus in Abeokuta is one of Nigeria's largest polytechnics, with thousands of students enrolled in various programmes across several faculties. The institution has faced previous protests over fee hikes, including a 2023 demonstration where students took to the streets brandishing placards with slogans such as "#No to Tuition Fee Increase" and "#Rector Must Go". In January 2025, the polytechnic was shut down following student protests over result verification issues and an alleged increment in tuition fees.
The SUG has stressed that the action is intended to be peaceful and that students are expected to conduct themselves in an orderly manner. The union has also warned against any form of violence, destruction of property, or intimidation, urging students to avoid confrontations with staff, security personnel, or fellow students. The union further urged students to ignore rumours and rely only on official information released by the Students' Union Government. The protest has drawn attention to the broader challenges facing tertiary education in Nigeria, where rising fees, inadequate funding, and poor infrastructure have become recurring sources of tension between students and institutions.
The MAPOLY SUG's decision to declare a sit-at-home protest underscores the growing impatience among students who feel that their concerns are being disregarded by the authorities. The union has made it clear that it is not abandoning dialogue but is using peaceful protest as a tool to amplify its demands and ensure that the voices of students are heard. As the protest continues, the spotlight will remain on the polytechnic's management and the Ogun State Government to see whether they will respond to the students' demands or allow the impasse to escalate. For now, the students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic have made their position clear: the fee increase is unacceptable, and they are prepared to stay at home until their concerns are addressed.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments