Fashola Bows to Pressure, Reduces LASU Fees by 34 to 60 Percent

Some of the buses protesting students used to block the governor's office — Some of the buses protesting students used to block the governor’s office

June 11, 2014- After so much flexing of muscles between the students of the Lagos State University(LASU)and the Lagos State Government, reprieve came on Wednesday when the state Government rose from the states Executive Council meeting to reduce fees charged in the institution by 34 to 60 percent.

The state government however left the final decision of the reduction from one department to the other to the Governing Council of the Lagos State University.

In the resolution signed by Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga, the Lagos State Government, stated that it accepted recommendation of the Adhoc committee set up by the state government that fees and charges payable by students for incidental services and materials are amenable to a downward review for two main reasons.
“Some of the components have applied to students across all levels when in fact they can be justifiably limited to students at a particular level only; some of the charges included can still be reduced on compassionate grounds.

“On the basis of these principles, government agrees that with the subsidized tuition fees and appropriate moderation of the incidental fees, a reduction, ranging from 34 to 60 percent is possible across the different faculties and courses”, government said in the resolution.

The council said it approved the reduction in accordance with the law setting up the university, adding that it has forwarded its approval to the governing council for consideration and implementation.

“Pursuant to its statutory mandate, the University Governing Council will issue details of what is now payable by students in each department and deal with all other management matters of the university”, and advised all individuals and groups within the community to relate to the university council accordingly.

The council observed that notwithstanding the reduction, government will continue with scholarships and bursary provisions for students.

On retirement of age for lecturers, the council is of the view that the decision cannot be unilaterally extended by employees themselves unless the employer were to cede total control of the institution to employees, which it said is not possible in this instance.

“Regarding the Vice Chancellor’s tenure of office, government also considers it a State prerogative exerciseable by Law pursuant to concurrent legislative power of the state government to establish the university and make statutory provisions for their management, and not that of its employees or proprietors of other universities. Government will retain the option of a second term for a Vice Chancellor in order to benefit from good leadership whenever the occasion arises”, Council Stated.