Taraba varsity not extorting students – VC
By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
The Vice Chancellor, Taraba State University Jalingo, Professor Sunday Bako, on Thursday, denied that the Instution was extorting students in anyway.
Bako made this known while reacting to speculations making the round, alleging the university management of extorting students through hostel accommodation.
Our correspondent gathered that reports reached governor Agbu Kefas, that the university management was extorting students through hostel accommodation to tactically maintain the 100 percent school fees that has been slashed by the governor to 50 per cent.
But professor Bako while reacting to the development said, the allegation was false, noting that the institution’s management had already complied fully with the directives of the governor by reducing its fee by 50 percent, and is in no way accruing any tax on the students in other to secretory maintain the former fee.
According to the VC, the institution’s tution fee was reviewed by the university council from N50,000 to N70,000 in December 22, 2022 before the governor’s directive on July 27, 2023.
“We have fully implemented the 50 percent reduction of the university tuition fee as directed by His Excellency Dr Agbu Kefas. The University council had reviewed the tuition fee from N50,000 to N70,000 on Dec. 22, 2023 before the governor’s directive on July 27, 2023.
“The council in it’s 30th meeting held in December 22, 2022, reviewed the university tuition fee from N50,000 to N70,000, while the governor’s pronouncement came on July 27, 2023. Following the governor’s pronouncement, the university has reduced it’s fee from N70,000 to N35,000,” the VC explained.
The Vice Chancellor also disclosed that the governor has approved the contract for the renovation of a block of student’s hostel to improve the students well-being.
“I want to state here that the governor’s gesture would improve on the accommodation deficit for students of this university.
“I am happy to also expressed that the university in utilising it’s little Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), has renovated another block of student’s hostel as part of measures in ensuring the provision of hostel accommodation for students.
“The contractor just handed over the completed hostel to the university management and the university would begin allocation to students soon.
“The cost of hostel accommodation is now N12,500 as against the old fee of N25,000. We are deeply encouraged by the commitment of governor Kefas in improving the quality of education particularly the university.
“On our part as an institution, we will continue to key into the governor’s vision of transforming the university,” the VC disclosed.
