A wave of protest has erupted at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), Delta State, following a significant increase in tuition and related charges for the 2025/2026 academic session. The protest, which began earlier today, has seen hundreds of students occupy major areas of the campus, demanding an immediate reversal of the newly approved school fees.
According to an internal memorandum issued by the Office of the Registrar and signed by Dr. (Mrs.) E. Jane Omoyine, the new schedule of charges shows a substantial hike across all student categories. Newly admitted students are now required to pay ₦210,500, an increase from the previous ₦180,700. Returning students, who were formerly paying ₦87,600, will now pay ₦144,500, while final-year students are expected to pay ₦194,500.
In addition to these adjustments, the document highlights other compulsory and optional payments. The acceptance fee for fresh students has been pegged at ₦85,000, while those undertaking field trips are expected to pay an additional ₦35,000. Furthermore, the optional hostel maintenance fee stands at ₦80,090.
Students argue that the new fees are outrageous and inconsiderate, especially given the current economic hardship in the country. Many claim that the increase is beyond the financial capacity of their parents and guardians and could force several students to drop out of school.
The protest has reportedly disrupted both academic and administrative activities on campus, with entrances blocked and lectures halted. The unrest comes at a particularly sensitive time, as students are currently in their examination period. Some final-year students were scheduled to take their last papers and hold their official sign-out exercise today, while other departments were set to sign out tomorrow and in the following days. However, these activities have now been put on hold due to the ongoing protest.
Several students expressed frustration over the timing of the increment, noting that many families are already struggling with the rising cost of living, transportation, and accommodation. They called on the university management to show empathy and reconsider the new charges.
Efforts to reach university officials for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. However, sources within the institution hint that the management may convene an emergency meeting to address the situation and engage with student representatives.
The Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, which prides itself as Nigeria’s premier petroleum university, has in recent years witnessed similar protests over fee-related issues. Students have vowed to continue the demonstration until the management rescinds its decision or provides a satisfactory explanation for the sudden increment.
After the peaceful protest when everyone has left to our various home, we then got a memo from school that everyone should vacate the hostel by 6pm that evening that the hostels would be locked by 6. We were all chased outside the hostel yesterday evening under the rain. Around 10pm students could be seen outside the school campus with their luggage trying to get home and find a place to lay their head. That means we are not allowed to express our fundamental rights as a student, we are expected to see things and just leave it be, now we say no, we have kept quiet for too long. I am a 300L student in the school and for the 3 years I have been in the school the school fees have been increased each year same as the hostel fee.