lasuconscience
The 36th Lagos State University Students’ Union, “Igbega LASUSU”, now appears to hold the record for being the most unconcerned and lackadaisical students’ union since the inception of unionism at the Lagos State University. Many students may wonder how a union that has not spent up to four months in office already carries such an important—yet embarrassing—label. The reason behind this “prestigious title” is not far-fetched.
This editorial extensively addresses the numerous complaints raised by LASUites throughout the semester and how our “Igbega LASUSU” has consistently failed to address them.
The Ilera-Eko Fee (Health Insurance Fee)
It came as a huge surprise when news of LASU introducing a health-insurance fee of ₦10,000 began to spread. Initially, the information stated clearly that the fee was meant for newly admitted students of the 2025/2026 academic session. While this did not sit well with many freshers, they had no choice—or rather, they did, but the “choice” was apparently too busy to address such a “trivial” issue.
Just like wildfire, staylites also discovered the fee on their payment portals, further heightening the agitation among LASUites. However, this tension was briefly eased when the fees mysteriously disappeared from the portals of staylites, although some students had already paid.
Surprisingly, three days into the festive month, LASU announced the opening of the course-registration portal for a period of two weeks from the date of the release, adding that “a penalty fee will be charged for late registration to be determined by the management.” This announcement shocked many students who had not yet paid their tuition fees, leaving many with the thoughts of how students already groaning under economic hardship, and now being threatened with a penalty fee for late registration when NELFUND has not disbursed loans is not just insensitive—it is cruel. But nothing could have prepared staylites for what they would later find on their portals.
The Library Development Fee and the Ilera-Eko Fee for Every LASUITE
Recall that on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, LASU announced a ₦3,500 library development fee for newly admitted students. This instantly increased agitation among freshers, while staylites also began expressing concerns over the university’s sudden introduction of multiple unjustified fees.
While freshers were still grappling with the new library development fee, staylites—already troubled by the two-week course-registration deadline—discovered something even more troubling: LASU had introduced the ₦10,000 Ilera-Eko Fee and the ₦3,500 library development fee on every staylite’s portal. This means every LASUITE is now required to pay both fees.
Where Is Our “IGBEGA LASUSU?”
Amid the numerous complaints surrounding these newly introduced fees, the 36th APK-led administration has shockingly provided no explanation, intervention, or even a reassuring message to students.
LASU Conscience has closely monitored these issues—from the introduction of the health-insurance fee to the new library development fee—and surprisingly, not a single broadcast has been released from the office of the Public Relations Officer, the supposed mouthpiece of the union. A glance at the LASUSU Info channel over the past month shows numerous broadcasts promoting events from various offices of the Students’ Union, but nothing about students’ welfare.
One significant issue that LASUites expected the union to address was the student loan scheme, NELFUND. Many students have been asking when the loan would be disbursed, but our “Igbega LASUSU” yet again showcased its “lackadaisical” attitude. Many students remain confused about the NELFUND process, and this confusion has only worsened with the two-week course-registration deadline, because as we all know, “no school fees, no course registration.”
Without prejudice, LASU Conscience can categorically state that from the Ilera-Eko fee to the library development fee which was first introduced for freshers and now for every student—LASUSU has failed spectacularly to address any of these issues or even reassure LASUites that a Students’ Union exists.
This leaves us with serious questions: Is our Students’ Union unaware of these issues? Has the PRO forgotten how to draft a broadcast message—which is clearly his constitutional responsibility?Has the President forgotten how to lead?These troubling events within such a short academic session leave very little hope for the remainder of the 36th LASUSU administration’s tenure.
Conclusively, we urge the 36th APK-led administration to set its priorities right; learn the art of communication (especially since a student of Communication holds the office of the Vice President); and commit to addressing pressing issues as soon as they gain traction. And to the PRO: LASUites need more timely and relevant broadcasts from your office—we should not be the ones reminding you of your responsibilities, which are clearly stated in the Constitution.
While LASU Conscience has clearly expressed its dissatisfaction with the 36th LASUSU administration, we sincerely hope to see obvious and immediate improvements in the coming days.
