LAUTECH Iseyin Campus Students Threaten Protest Over Poor Living Conditions
It's been one year and two months since the Faculty of Agriculture at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) resumed activities at Iseyin campus, but students are still facing many problems. One of the major concerns is the scarcity of accommodation, with many students forced to pay exorbitant prices for substandard housing.
The hostels are also located far from the campus, resulting in students spending between ₦800 to ₦2,000 daily on transportation. Students demand explanation to the sudden disappearance of the Omituntun buses provided by the Oyo State government, which were initially available to students.
The students are also struggling with erratic electricity supply, with some areas experiencing outages lasting over a week, even during exams. Furthermore, students also complained about the high cost of food and manuals, with students expected to pay between ₦3,000 to ₦6,000 for course materials, and most of these students are offering 14 courses.
The lack of facilities on campus is another major concern, with 400-level students questioning the ₦10,000 internship fee they paid. Unlike the Ogbomoso campus, the Iseyin campus lacks essential facilities such as piggery, fishery, and cassava units.
On January 20, 2025, the general representatives of the Faculty of Agriculture (FAG) at LAUTECH Iseyin Campus met with the Vice-Chancellor (VC) and other stakeholders to discuss several issues. The outcomes of the meeting are as follows:
- Farm Year Practicals: The VC said processes have started to provide short-term solutions for practicals.
- Extension of Calendar and Portal Deadline: The management will adjust the calendar and extend the portal deadline.
- Duplication of Important Offices: Important offices from Ogbomoso will be duplicated at Iseyin Campus.
- Issues of AR: The VC instructed the Dean to clear pending AR and abolished the idea of giving AR.
- Security Measures: The police promised quick response to emergencies.
- Transportation: The VC promised a motor park and the return of campus shuttles.
- Late Delivery of Manuals: Has stopped.
- Medical Health Services: The medical centre is well-equipped and staffed, with plans to employ a medical doctor soon.
However, students have come to the resolution that if nothing is worked on despite the meeting, they are left with no other option than to protest on January 24, 2025.
Their demands are clear: either the school fulfills their promises or they return to the Ogbomoso campus.