LAUTECH Crisis: Lecturers’ Apathy, Caretaker Greed, Students’ Suffering • Makinde Urged to Address Our Plight
By Editor
2 min read
The peaceful protest staged by students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) at the Custom (Oremoje) area of Iseyin has brought to the fore the pressing issues plaguing the institution’s Iseyin campus.The protest, according to eyewitnesses, was a response to the students’ growing frustration with the subpar learning conditions in Iseyin.
At the heart of the students’ grievances are the absence of lecturers, exorbitant accommodation fees, and poor learning conditions. In a passionate appeal, the students are calling on Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to intervene and address their plight.
A resident of Iseyin, who chose to remain anonymous, provided insight into the issues that sparked the protest for naijatodaynew.com. “The truth is that LAUTECH lecturers are not committed to teaching in Iseyin. Since the inception of the university’s presence in the town, no lecturer has ever stayed in Iseyin for more than two days. They commute from Ogbomosho, often at the expense of the students,” the resident revealed.
Furthermore, the resident alleged that caretakers in Iseyin are exploiting students by increasing house rents arbitrarily. “These caretakers are heartless and only interested in making a profit. They force landlords to build hostels, which they then rent out to students at exorbitant prices,” the resident claimed.
The resident also disputed the notion that foodstuffs are costly in Iseyin, stating that students have reported spending less on food and fuel in Iseyin compared to Ogbomosho.
The protest has brought attention to the need for improved learning conditions in Iseyin. The resident expressed optimism that the local government and the governor would address the issues raised by the students.
“It is unacceptable that lecturers are not willing to live in Iseyin to teach students properly. Any lecturer who is not committed to teaching in Iseyin should resign. I feel for the students, and I believe the government will take necessary steps to restore normalcy,” the resident concluded.
The protest has highlighted the need for stakeholders to work together to ensure that students have access to quality education in a conducive environment. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the government and university authorities will respond to the students’ demands.
