The administration of The University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria recently conducted a town hall meeting with student representatives to address pressing issues. Led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, the meeting aimed to provide the students a platform to express their concerns openly.
Held at Trenchard Hall, the event was informal, allowing students to pose questions and raise various concerns.
Professor Adebowale highlighted the transitional phase of Federal universities, acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding many issues.
He commended student union leaders for their mature and purposeful approach to student unionism, qualities he believes should be emulated elsewhere.
Despite challenges, he praised the student body for maintaining peace on campus and excelling academically, citing recent achievements such as scholarships and the university’s high ranking in Times Higher Education.
Professor Adebowale emphasized the importance of students as integral stakeholders in the university system.
He noted the university’s efforts to address accommodation challenges, including the initiation of 18 Build-Operate-and-Transfer hostel agreements to ensure students’ on-campus stay.
Discussions at the meeting encompassed a wide range of topics, including accommodation, laboratory fees, sexual harassment, Post UTME for the physically challenged, computer laboratory usage, and clinical rotations for Physiotherapy students.
Other issues as electricity supply, water, commodity prices, health services, school fees, internet facilities, waste disposal, and transportation within the campus were also addressed.
To alleviate transportation costs within the campus, the school has approved a reduction from N400 to N300 per drop.
The meeting saw representation from various student bodies, including the Students Union Executive Committee, Students Representative Council, Hall Chairpersons, Faculty Executive Committee members, Students Press, physically challenged students, Off-Campus student representatives, MSS Amir, AUCSF, and others.
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