MAPOLY Students Declare Sit-at-Home Protest Over School Fees Hike

The Students' Union Government (SUG) of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) has directed students to observe a peaceful sit-at-home protest in opposition to the institution's recent increase in school fees. The union said the action followed unsuccessful negotiations with the management over the revised fees, insisting that students' concerns had not been adequately addressed.

In a statement jointly signed by SUG President Afolabi Temitope, Acting Speaker Olorode Kehinde, General Secretary Ekundayo Gbenga and Public Relations Officer Oloyede Ganiyu, the union said it had engaged the management in several rounds of dialogue since the new fees appeared on the students' portal. However, it noted that the prevailing economic hardship has made the increase unbearable for many students and their parents.

The union directed all students to remain at home and refrain from attending lectures or participating in any academic activities, describing the sit-at-home as a peaceful expression of dissatisfaction rather than an act of confrontation. It stressed that students must avoid violence, destruction of property or any conduct capable of disrupting peace within the institution.

The SUG also appealed to shuttle operators, commercial drivers, tricycle operators and other transport providers operating within the polytechnic community to suspend services in solidarity with the protest. Students were further advised to remain orderly, avoid confrontations with members of staff and security personnel, and rely only on official information released by the union.

Despite the protest directive, the union reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue with the institution's management, expressing hope that the peaceful action would encourage the authorities to reconsider the fee increase. It maintained that the sit-at-home should not be interpreted as the end of negotiations but as a demonstration that students' welfare remains a priority.