A decision by the management of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Yaba, Lagos State, have led to the launch of serious online protest.

The Engineer Obafemi Omokungbe-led management on Tuesday suddenly increased its school fees.

Philip Efiah, president of the institution’s Students’ Union Government (SUG), said that students noticed the increase on the school’s payment portal in the last week of April, without any prior notice from the management.

“Students noticed an increment in the last week of April,” Efiah said.

“For some, it was N10,000 increment and for some, it was more than that. On noticing it, we wrote to the management to review the decision that has been made which originally was done without our involvement or participation.

“We are yet to get a response. We have rolled out a memo to all students asking them not to make any payment for now till the increment has been reviewed,” Efiah said.

Aisha Sanni, the Senate Clerk, told FIJ that the school management was yet to give an official reason for the sudden increase.

“We reached out to the Dean of Students’ Affairs through a letter, but he only gave a verbal response,” Sanni said.

Efiah said the Yaba College of Technology Students Union Government (YASUG) is working on ensuring that the increment is reviewed.

“After a discussion last night with past leaders and other arms, we’ve drafted a letter carrying an ultimatum that the school shut down the payment portal and review the increment within the next 24 hours,” Efiah said.

“Also, a memo has been drafted to be sent to all student platforms urging them to refrain from making payments as we are not in support of the recent step taken by the management.

“Currently, the matter is trending on Twitter, with students pushing that should be no increment of any sort as it is uncalled for. No prior notice, no formidable reason for increment. Also, the economic situation of our country at this point in time is not one suitable for such inconsiderate step,” he said.

When contacted, the Dean of Students’ Affairs, YABATECH, Mr Balogun Rasheed said “Go and talk to the SUG. Go and ask them.”