Some former students of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, have expressed displeasure at the increase in the alumni membership fee from N5,000 to N20,000.
The ex-students, who spoke with PUNCH Metro in separate interviews on Monday, described the increase as arbitrary and insensitive to the country’s economic situation.
Some alumni members claimed that the fee provided no benefits and was merely a way to extort them, many of whom were unaware of the association’s activities.
A member of the 2019 set, Mathew Abiodun, criticised the increase, calling it inconsiderate given the hardship members faced due to the economic situation.
He noted that efforts to get an explanation from the alumni president yielded no result, as there had been no communication to justify the increase.
Abiodun said, “The increase in the alumni fee is pure wickedness. When I graduated in 2019, it was N2,500, before it was raised to N5,000, and now to N20,000.
“Given the current economic challenges, most people can barely afford daily meals. Every time you need to collect a document from the school, you are required to pay the alumni fee, which shouldn’t be the case.”
He urged the alumni leadership to reverse the decision and maintain the N5,000 fee.
“We are calling for a return to the N5,000 fee and demand that the president explains the reason for the increase.”
A member of the 2017 set, Oluwagbenga Orolu, alleged that the association, which was supposed to be voluntary, was made compulsory as a means of extortion.
He criticised the association’s leadership, stating that it had no direct impact on the members.
Orolu said, “The increase from N5,000 to N20,000 is a staggering 400 per cent hike. The initial fees didn’t benefit members, and now they’re talking about an increase. If the association was effective, there would be no need to compel people to pay.
“The worst part is that the fee is required multiple times. Each time you need a document from the school, you’re asked to pay the alumni fee, even within a short time.”
Another ex-student, who wished to remain anonymous, noted that when the issue was raised on the association’s WhatsApp platform, the president locked the group instead of justifying the increase.
“While the alumni were expressing concerns about the unjust increase, the president locked the WhatsApp group. Alumni associations should not be a means of making a profit.
“This is leadership through extortion and oppression.”
When contacted, the President of the TASUED Alumni Association, Julius Oladeji, ended the call after our correspondent introduced himself as a journalist. Repeated calls and messages were not answered as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, the association’s Public Relations Officer, Ademolu Adenuga, said in a telephone conversation on Monday that an official response would be made public soon.
“I am currently in Osogbo. When I return, I will officially address their concerns,” Adenuga said.
