FUOYE Students Union Orders Rent Strike Over “Back-Breaking” Increments

The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has directed students to suspend payment of increased house rents, following what it described as “back-breaking and unexplainable yearly increments” imposed by landlords and housing agents in Oye-Ekiti and its environs.

In a statement signed by the Better Days Cabinet, led by the union president, Adio James, the SUG accused landlords and agents of exploiting students, stressing that the community’s economy is sustained largely by the student population.

“Our landlords in this land have been overbearing… it is high time the Oye community realised that the economy of this community is heavily dependent on us, and they cannot continue extorting us at will,” the statement read.

The union disclosed that it had held talks with school management, housing agents, and landlords in a bid to reach an agreement, but said negotiations were ongoing. It therefore instructed students to pause all rent payments on properties where increments have been introduced until a resolution is reached.

The SUG also warned landlords against illegal evictions, insisting that any property owner who ejects tenants without issuing the lawful six-month quit notice would “face the brunt of the law.”

Furthermore, the union announced that all housing agents operating in Oye and its environs are “hereby unrecognised by FUOYESUG,” urging students to desist from dealing with them until negotiations are concluded.

While acknowledging the harsh economic situation in the country, the SUG appealed to landlords and agents to show empathy:

“We will continue negotiations with stakeholders, appealing to their parenthood, knowing fully well they would not be happy to pay a 40% increment for the same house for their own children in other locations.”

The statement ended with a strong call to action: “Enough is Enough!”