‘Students Can’t Keep Paying the Price’ — MAPOLY Union Urges Ogun Govt to Increase Education Funding
By Aliyu Oyewole
The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, has appealed to the Ogun State Government to provide sustainable funding for the institution, warning that repeated increases in school fees could make higher education unaffordable for many students.
In an open letter dated August 4, 2026, and addressed to the Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Abayomi Adelaja Arigbabu, the union urged the state government to adopt long-term funding strategies that would reduce the financial burden on students and their families.
Signed by the Students’ Union President, Comrade Senator Afolabi Temitope (Big Afo), Acting Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olorede Kehinde, General Secretary, Comrade Ekundayo Gbenga (Hallow), and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Oloyede Ganiyu (Gee Classic), the letter described education as a critical investment that should remain accessible and affordable.
The union said the recent review of school fees at the institution had generated widespread concern among students, parents, guardians and other stakeholders.
According to the students’ leadership, it immediately engaged the institution’s management following the announcement, maintaining a consistent position against any increase in school fees.
“The Students’ Union does not support any increase in school fees. That position has guided every meeting, consultation and engagement held since this issue arose,” the letter stated.
While acknowledging the financial challenges facing the institution, the union argued that relying on periodic fee increases to address funding gaps was neither sustainable nor in the best interest of students.
The students noted that many families are already struggling with Nigeria’s current economic realities, while several students finance their education through small businesses, vocational jobs, scholarships and support from relatives facing similar financial pressures.
The union also recognised the difficulties confronting the management in maintaining infrastructure, staffing, academic standards and accreditation requirements but insisted that students should not continue to bear the largest share of the institution’s financial challenges.
It warned that if public tertiary institutions continue to address funding deficits through regular fee increases, quality higher education could gradually become inaccessible to many deserving young people across the state.
To address the situation, the students appealed to the Ogun State Government to increase financial support for state-owned tertiary institutions through improved subventions, special intervention funds, infrastructural development, educational grants and student support initiatives.
According to the union, such measures would strengthen the institution while protecting students from the recurring burden of rising educational costs.
Describing the letter as a constructive appeal rather than an act of confrontation, the union said it remained committed to dialogue and peaceful engagement with all relevant stakeholders.
The students further urged the state government to seize the opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to affordable and quality tertiary education through deliberate investment and sustainable funding policies.
“We seek fairness. We seek sustainable educational policies. Above all, we seek an institution where no capable student is denied the opportunity to learn simply because the cost of education continues to rise beyond the reach of ordinary families,” the union stated.
The students expressed optimism that the commissioner and the Ogun State Government would give the appeal urgent consideration in the interest of preserving access to affordable higher education.
