By Adadareporters
Academic activities have been suspended at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, following a protest by the students over the instruction’s implementation of ‘no school fees, no exam policy’.
It was gathered that the Institution had before the beginning of 2023/2024 academic session made an increment on the tuition between N80, 000 and over N150, 000, depending on the course of study.
A source said trouble began when the students were prevented from writing the semester exams for non-compliance with the instruction’s ‘no school fees, no exam policy’.
The protest, which began peacefully, later became violent as students were seen destroying some structures within the school premises.
They also blocked the Umuahia/Ikot-Ekpene expressway as students raised burnt some objects on the highway, which forced vehicles to either turn back or divert to adjoining roads.
The public relations officer of the university, Mr Patrick Opara, said students were duly notified of the tuition increment and the implementation of the policy of ‘no fees, no examination’.
Meanwhile, the university authorities, on behalf of the Senate, ordered an indefinite closure of the university to forestall further breakdown of law and order.
