The Michael Okpara University, Umudike, Abia State, has indefinitely suspended its ongoing academic activities following students protest against the increase in school fees. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Maduebibisi Iwe, announced the suspension after a violent protest, stating that it was necessary to safeguard lives and property on campus.

The university management has ordered all students to vacate the premises immediately or no later than 5.00 pm on Tuesday, February 6, 2024. The protest, reportedly hijacked by some miscreants, led to the destruction of school properties and an attack on the VC's official vehicle and other officials.

A computer science student, Victoria, revealed that the school had made it clear that students who hadn't paid the recently increased tuition fees would not be allowed to write their first semester examinations, including final year exams.

The Student Union Government General Secretary, Enyioma Godslove, appealed to the protesting students to shun violence, emphasizing that continuous destruction and harm to fellow students wouldn't solve the problem. He urged for peace while awaiting a resolution.

A viral video showed police presence on the school premises, with officers shooting into the air at the main gate to disperse the protesting students, causing chaos and leading market vendors to flee, leaving their goods behind.

This incident at Michael Okpara University echoes similar protests at the University of Lagos and the Federal University of Technology, Akure, where students opposed fee increases and demanded government intervention to fund education without raising tuition fees.

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