By: Manoah Kikekon
Tension is mounting at the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Ijanikin, as its inaugural graduating class revolts against a newly imposed ₦118,000 convocation fee, labeling the charge steep, exploitative, and out of touch with Nigeria's economic climate.
An official circular issued by the institution’s leadership instructed all pioneer degree graduates of the Class of 2026 to pay for their graduation clearance via the student portal within a tight fortnight window stretching from Monday, October 12 to Friday, October 30.
The management's itemized fee schedule reveals that the total ₦118,000 package covers six distinct levies:
Brochure & Certificate: ₦50,000
Convocation Package: ₦35,000
Academic Gown: ₦20,000
Online Clearance: ₦5,000
Alumni Association Registration: ₦5,000
Plagiarism Check: ₦3,000
The directive has provoked widespread indignation among the outgoing students, many of whom are already struggling to secure funds to cover logistics for the upcoming National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilization in November.
Reacting to the directive, the affected youth operating under the collective platform Concerned LASUED Pioneer Graduands issued a joint manifesto outrightly rejecting both the cost and the brief payment period.
In the statement signed by Akinteye Babtee Babatunde on behalf of the coalition, the group acknowledged the symbolic weight of the ceremony but insisted that the financial demands are unfeasible
“While we recognize the importance of a convocation ceremony in celebrating our academic journey and achievements, we strongly believe that the financial burden placed on graduands must be reasonable, considerate, and reflective of the prevailing economic realities in Nigeria. ₦118,000 is simply too much to bear. We cannot celebrate an academic milestone at the expense of our financial stability and peace of mind.”
The coalition highlighted that aside from the mandatory institutional charges, graduates must fund their own attire, travel, lodgings, and photography for the event. They argued that forcing students to raise such a substantial sum in just 14 days amidst nationwide hardship is unfair and insensitive.
To de-escalate the brewing conflict, the graduating students put forward four primary terms:
1. Total Rejection: An immediate halt to the ₦118,000 mandatory charge.
2. Fee Reduction: A drastic downward review to make the package affordable.
3. Timeline Extension: Additional time beyond the October 30 deadline to source payment.
4. Event Postponement: Pushing back the main ceremony until an amicable agreement is brokered.
Clarifying that their protest is not a rebellion against school authorities but a plea for compassion, the group urged all affected peers to maintain solidarity and hold off on payments.