A civil society organization, The Osun Masterminds (TOM), has called on the Osun State Government to take urgent action in regulating the rising tuition fees in state-owned tertiary institutions.
The group said the high cost of education in schools such as the University of Ilesa (Unilesa) and Osun State University (UNIOSUN) is making higher education increasingly inaccessible to students from low-income families.
Speaking during TOM’s monthly media parley in Osogbo on Wednesday, the Executive Director, Prof. Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, described the current tuition fees as “outrageous” and beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.
> “We are disturbed by the tuition being demanded by Osun-owned tertiary institutions in recent times. In a state like ours, it is improper to charge as high as ₦1.3 million from students who come from struggling families,” Oyedokun-Alli said.
He urged the state government to immediately step in and ensure that fees in public higher institutions remain affordable, emphasizing that education is a fundamental tool for development and must not be priced out of the reach of the poor.
> “We call on the Osun State Government to regulate the tuition fees of public institutions so that education remains within the common man’s reach,” he added.
Beyond tuition concerns, Prof. Oyedokun-Alli also commended the Nigeria Police Force for its swift response to the investigation of killings allegedly committed by some members of the Amotekun Corps in Akinlalu community, Osun State. He, however, stressed the need for a thorough and transparent investigation, insisting that justice must be served to all parties involved.
When contacted for clarification, the Osun State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Dipo Eluwole, confirmed that meetings had already been held between the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the management of the affected universities.
> “The National Association of Nigerian Students came on Sunday and met with the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University on Monday, and they resolved some issues. Regarding Unilesa, NANS also visited, but I’ve not yet received a report on that,” Eluwole said.
He further explained that Unilesa did not arbitrarily increase its tuition, noting that the institution started with its current fee structure, while UNIOSUN added certain amounts to its previous charges.
The Osun Masterminds, known for its consistent advocacy for good governance and accountability, had earlier in August 2025 called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to convene a multi-stakeholder dialogue involving political leaders, religious bodies, and community groups to address the prolonged local government crisis in the state.
Local government activities in Osun have remained paralyzed since February 17, following disputes over control between chairmen elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2022 and those elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2025.
Prof. Oyedokun-Alli reaffirmed TOM’s support for the state government’s decision to seek redress at the Supreme Court, while also calling for continued dialogue across political and religious divides to promote peace and stability in Osun State.
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