The University of Lagos is facing mounting pressure from students after the institution shut its school fees payment and course registration portal on 21 June, leaving over 400 undergraduates at risk of missing first semester examinations scheduled to commence on 10 August.

Affected students reported that many were unable to complete registration before the deadline due to financial constraints worsened by prevailing economic conditions. The closure has raised fears of course carry overs and extended study periods, particularly among final year students whose graduation timelines could be disrupted.

One student, speaking on behalf of those affected, said: "I'm a UNILAG student reaching out on behalf of over 400 affected students. Our examinations are scheduled to begin in a week, but the school fee payment portal has been closed. Many students and parents were unable to raise the school fees before the deadline, and as a result, over 400 students now risk missing their examinations, carrying over courses, or even spending an extra year in school."

Students questioned the decision to close the portal nearly seven weeks before examinations, describing the timing as inconsiderate given the economic realities facing many families. "UNILAG closed the school fees payment and course registration portal on June 21, even though examinations are not scheduled to begin until August 10, almost one and a half months later. Many students are confused and frustrated by this decision," another student said.

A third student challenged the university to justify the early closure: "We sincerely want to understand the reason behind closing the portal so early. What was the justification for this decision, and what exactly is the university trying to achieve? Many students who were making efforts to raise their fees have now been denied the opportunity to pay and register their courses, putting their academic progress at risk."

The students appealed to management to reopen both the payment and course registration portals before examinations begin. "We appeal to the university management to reconsider this policy and reopen the payment and course registration portals to give affected students a fair chance to complete their registration before examinations commence," one student urged.

The University of Lagos had not issued a public statement on the matter as of the time of this report.