The 2020/2021 graduating class of the University of Ilorin has protested the recent top-up and memorabilia charges introduced by the institution as part of the requirements to participate in the forthcoming combined convocation ceremony.

The graduates cited short notice, the country’s economic situation and extortion, among others for kicking against the increment.

The event scheduled to be held October 20 and 21, 2023 will host the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 graduating classes.

In a memo dated October 3, 2023, obtained on Monday, the institution had introduced memorabilia which includes branded T-shirts, scrolls and lapel pins for graduates at the rate of N10,000.

It also listed that the requirements for getting certificates include an original copy of the Statement of Result (SOR) for those who have collected; Completed Clearance form and ID card for those who are yet to collect SOR; Evidence of payment of convocation fees of N38,500.00 for those who did not pay N20,800.00 earlier in the year and additional N17,700.00 for those who have paid the N20,800.00; Evidence of payment of N10,000.00 for memorabilia to UNILORIN Consultancy Services Unit.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Punch a representative of the graduands, Aminat lamented the economic situation of the country adding that the university should consider their financial capacities.

She said, “Many of us are just corps members living with the monthly stipend sent by the Federal Government. Some cannot even come for the ceremony because of transportation costs.

“We have paid our convocation fees before embarking on NYSC, we printed the receipt and submitted it for clearance.

“Why are they asking for us to pay again? What’s the rationale behind that? Is it our fault that the convocation ceremony was not done immediately after graduation?” she queried.

A graduate, Ebuka Godwin (not real name) declared that UNILORIN is only trying to extort its graduate by imposing a compulsory memorabilia fee and top-up convocation fee.

She maintained, “This is a cruel act that doesn’t put into consideration the financial capacity of said graduates.
How can a corp member earning N33,000 be able to churn out N27,800 in just 10 days?”

Another graduate and one of the presidents of the institution’s faculties, Azeez opined that the graduates are not happy with the development and that they are only calm because they believe that the management will do something about it.

“For me, as a leader who has had interactions with our people in the past seven months; since we left school, most are yet to get life bearings, most of us survive on the 33k allawee from FG, as parents have stopped our footing bills as they assumed that they are now being paid.

“All of a sudden asking for close to 30,000 is too much, troublesome and disturbing, and asking us to pay it within 5 working days as it was just announced last week,” he added.

Meanwhile, the management of the University of Ilorin has denied exploiting the graduating class of 2020/2021, who were told to top-up their convocation fee and pay for memorabilia charges.

The institution made this declaration in a statement by the director of Corporate Affairs, Kunle Akogun, titled “Our Position On Memorabilia”, on Tuesday, adding that the management has the right to determine what materials are necessary and at the most reasonable rates for its students or graduates.

It partly read, “The attention of the Management of the University of Ilorin has been drawn to a social media news report on a planned protest by a group of former students of the University with respect to some convocation items they are expected to have.

“These are their personal effects and necessary commemoratory mementos for the successful completion of their programmes at the University.”

The management of UNILORIN faulted the action of the protesting graduates, noting that they should have demonstrated a knowledge of the prevailing economic reality in the country and appreciated the good disposition of the University management in arriving at this rate, which the university described as its “lowest possible”.

The statement further read, “For the avoidance of doubts and for record purposes, members of the public and our former students should note that this matter is about graduands and indeed, convocation ceremonies; the rates attached to the items are the least and indeed the lowest available in the light of the economic realities of the country; it is not in our character at the University of Ilorin to exploit; the University has always been very considerate in fixing its charges, which remain the cheapest among public universities in the country; our graduands, are worthy in character and learning, and would always live above board with the display of sound knowledge of the prevailing economic situation in the country.

The management also asserted that the “misguided individuals” are only protesting for their primordial and selfish reasons while emphasising that a large number of the graduates have paid for the items and convocation.

However, the University failed to address the alleged convocation top-up of N17,700 by the graduating class.