Crisis Rocks Adeyemi University Of Education As Students Threaten To Disrupt Convocation Ceremony

By Akinwale Kasali

There is tension at the Adeyemi University of Education, Ondo State over its forthcoming Convocation Ceremony.

The possibility of the Ceremony holding remains uncertain following massive protests by Students who have disrupted academic activities in the School. They, also, threaten to disrupt the Convocation Ceremony following the recent hike in Convocation and Certificate-related fees.

The warning was contained in an open protest letter addressed to the Institution’s Management, condemning a new policy that withholds academic documents from graduates who do not pay the increased charges.

The letter, signed by members of the graduating Class of 2022, described the fee increments as “unjustified” and “oppressive.”

According to the letter, the Convocation Gown and Booklet Fee has increased astronomically by 200 per cent  from ₦10,000 to ₦30,000, while the Certificate Collection Fee has increased from ₦15,000 to ₦25,000.

Most contentious, however, is the new policy that withholds statements of results — documents essential for job applications, National Youth Service Corps, NYSC enrollment, and further studies — until graduates pay the convocation fee, even if they do not intend to participate in the ceremony.

The graduates emphasised that education should not be used as a tool for exploitation.

They questioned the rationale behind the fee increment and demanded transparency from the University.

The letter called on the Management to reverse the new fees, decouple the release of academic documents from ceremonial charges, and include students and alumni representatives in future policy decisions affecting financial matters.

The protesters also warned that if their demands are not addressed, they would escalate the matter through public demonstrations, media engagement, and legal and policy advocacy.

Part of the letter reads:  Objection to the Recent Unjustified Fee Increases for Convocation, Certificate Collection, and Withholding of Academic Documents (Statement of Results) for the 2021/2022 Academic Session. To the Management of Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo, Ondo State:

“This letter is written in firm protest against the recent increase in convocation-related fees and certificate collection fees for the 2021/2022 set, and the concerning new policy tying the payment of said fees to the release of academic records (statement of results) for the 2022/2023 graduating set.

“Specifically: the convocation gown and booklet fee has been raised from ₦10,000 to ₦30,000; the certificate collection fee has increased from ₦15,000 to ₦25,000; and the statement of result is now withheld until the convocation fee is paid, regardless of a student’s intention to participate in the ceremony.

“These changes are not only unfair but also oppressive to students and graduates who have fulfilled their academic responsibilities under difficult economic conditions.

“We must ask: What justifies a 100% increase in fees? What improvements have been made to convocation materials or certificate services to warrant such an increase? Where is the transparency in these decisions?

“It is even more troubling that the university is now holding students’ statements of results hostage unless they pay for a convocation ceremony — an event that is optional by nature.

“This policy is punitive, coercive, and unacceptable. Many graduates urgently need their statements of results for job applications, scholarship opportunities, NYSC processing, or further education. Making access dependent on non-essential fee payments is both unethical and exploitative.

“This policy sends a dangerous message —that academic achievement is secondary to institutional revenue. It erodes trust, creates financial barriers, and undermines the values of fairness and accessibility that a federal institution is meant to uphold.

“We are demanding the following immediate actions: Reversal of the convocation and certificate fee increases to their original amounts. Immediate separation of ceremonial fees from access to academic documents.

“No student should be denied their statement of result for not paying for convocation.

“A transparent breakdown of costs to justify any proposed future increases. Involvement of student and alumni representatives in decision-making processes affecting financial policies.

“Additionally, we strongly urge the university to refrain from collecting the increased fees from members of the affected graduating set until these issues are resolved through open dialogue and mutual agreement.

“Forcing students to pay increased fees while concerns remain unaddressed only deepens the current sense of injustice and neglect.

“We are not asking for favours; we are demanding fairness. Education is a right, not a luxury, and students should not be punished for being unable to afford extras unrelated to their academic qualifications.

“If these concerns are not urgently addressed, students and graduates will have no choice but to escalate the matter through confrontation, media engagement, and legal and policy advocacy.

“We want to make it categorically clear that we will not hesitate to interrupt the forthcoming convocation ceremony with a massive protest if the management fails to address the fee increment.

“Conclusively, we strongly advise all members of the Class of ’22 not to make any payments at this time until the issue of the increment is duly addressed and resolved by the school authorities.

“This is a collective stand, and we urge everyone to remain united and firm. We hope the management will do the right thing—not just for public perception, but for the integrity of the institution,” the statement added.

The Institution’s Management is yet to issue a statement on this development and the move it is making in addressing the situation and bringing back normalcy to the School.