JOSTUM suspends proposed fee Increment

However, the vice-chancellor stressed that the university must continue balancing students’ welfare with its responsibility to sustain institutional development and manage its resources effectively.

He did not provide details of the consultations or indicate whether the proposed increase would be reconsidered in a subsequent academic session.

The announcement comes amid concerns over the affordability of university education and the financial obligations families face in supporting students through their academic programmes.

By suspending the proposed increase, the university has responded to the concerns raised by students while maintaining that responsible resource management remains necessary for its continued development.

JOSTUM Seeks Prompt Resumption of Academic Activities

Beyond the fee decision, Itodo explained that the university intended to resume academic activities promptly to recover valuable academic time lost to strikes and other delays.

He said the institution was focused on ensuring that the academic session progressed sufficiently ahead of the commencement of the 2027 general elections.

According to the vice-chancellor, protecting the academic calendar was necessary to prevent further interruptions from affecting students’ academic progress.

He emphasised the importance of maintaining continuity in teaching, learning and other academic activities so that students could make progress without additional delays.

The university’s position reflects its concern that disruptions to the academic calendar could affect the time available for lectures, examinations and other scheduled academic responsibilities.

Itodo urged students to focus on their studies and support efforts to keep academic activities on course.

The statement did not provide a revised academic calendar or specify dates for particular academic activities, but the vice-chancellor stressed the need to avoid further delays.

Vice-Chancellor Condemns Confrontational Protests

While acknowledging students’ right to raise concerns, Itodo expressed disappointment over what he described as confrontational approaches adopted by some students.

He specifically referred to the circulation of flyers bearing the inscription, “ITODO MUST GO”, describing the approach as inconsistent with the need to maintain peace and protect the university’s reputation.

The vice-chancellor said students were entitled to question decisions and express grievances but urged them to do so through responsible and peaceful means.

“You have every right to question decisions and express your concerns, but I urge you to do so responsibly.

“Criticism is welcome; violence, intimidation and actions that threaten our University’s peace and reputation are not,” he said.

Itodo stressed that disagreement over university policies should not lead to violence, intimidation or activities capable of disrupting teaching and learning.

He also advised students against allowing themselves to be used by individuals seeking to disrupt academic activities, noting that established channels for dialogue were available to address their concerns.

The statement did not provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the circulation of the flyers or identify those responsible for producing them.

Management Reaffirms Commitment to Education

Itodo reaffirmed his commitment to providing quality education and supporting the continued development of JOSTUM.

He urged students to put their differences aside and concentrate on their education and future, while encouraging them to use established channels to communicate grievances to the university management.

The vice-chancellor’s remarks highlighted the need for dialogue between students and the university administration, particularly on decisions affecting the cost of education and the academic environment.

Although the proposed fee increase has been suspended for the 2026/2027 session, the university has maintained that it must continue managing its resources carefully to sustain its operations and development.

For students and their families, the decision means the proposed increase will not take effect during the coming academic session. The administration, meanwhile, is seeking to protect the academic calendar and prevent further disruptions to students’ progress.