The Great Ife League of Presidents at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- Ife, Osun State, has rejected the N15,000 portal access and maintenance charge introduced by the university management.

The league made this known in a statement on Sunday, saying the charge was introduced without proper consultation with the students expected to pay it.

“This charge was introduced without proper consultation with the students who are expected to pay it. 

“It comes at a time when many families are already struggling with the rising cost of education, and we, as the leaders closest to the students in our various departments, indigenous association and faculties, cannot stay quiet while an extra burden is placed on them,” it read.

The league also criticised the silence of the students’ union leadership, including the central executive council, saying their silence did not mean neutrality but signified a failure to represent the students who elected them.

It further gave the students’ union leadership a 24-hour ultimatum to publicly state its position on the charge. 

“The League of Presidents hereby gives the Students’ Union leadership 24 hours from the time of this release to issue a clear, public statement on the N15,000 charge, stating where the Union stands and what steps it is taking on behalf of the students.

“Should there be no response within this period, the students of Great Ife will assemble for a peaceful demonstration at the Students’ Union building. This will be orderly, lawful and peaceful, but it will make one thing clear: the students will not be ignored,” the statement said.

The league also called on the university management to withdraw the charge and consult the student body before introducing further fee increases.

It urged students to remain calm and refrain from paying the N15,000 charge until they receive further directives from the association executives.