The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS has issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the Management of the University of Lagos to reverse its decision on school fee increment in the institution on Thursday, September 7, 2023.

NANS officials, led by Giwa Temitope, the National Public Relations Officer, Akinteye Afeez, the National Vice President, (External), and the Deputy Senate President, Ekundina Elvis, condemned the arrest of students who were protesting fee hike at UNILAG Junction on Wednesday.

Some of the protesters, Adeyeye Olorunfemi, Philip Olatinwo, Aduwo Ayodele and the Giwa, among others, were later released by the police in the evening after being detained for protesting. The security agencies had fired teargas to disperse the students and make arrests at UNILAG Junction during the protest.

The Lagos State Police Command issued a statement on Tuesday 5th September, saying “Students should inform the Police of its protest plans for adequate measures to be provided”.

The student leaders spoke during a conference at the International Press Centre, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos, “We want to state that the repression that was meted out during our protest on Wednesday against the astronomical increase in fees payable at the University of Lagos is condemnable.”

According to NANS, “the decision to protest the fee hike was reached after the management of the University of Lagos allegedly failed to meet the terms of the agreement met with the students on August 2, 2023 “where the Vice Chancellor assured us that the fee would be reversed and reviewed through a joint body of students and Management staff of the University”

When contacted for a reaction on Wednesday, the Head of Communications Unit, UNILAG, Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, said the Management was not against lawful protest. She directed the students to direct their grievances to the right channel and in an orderly manner.