The National Association of Nigerian Students has issued a strong warning against the proposed hike in tuition fees by universities across the country.
According to The PUNCH, the Senate President, Akinteye Babatunde, released in Ibadan, Oyo State, NANS condemned the recent actions by some Vice Chancellors to raise fees, describing the move as unjustifiable.
“We strongly condemn the recent moves by some Vice Chancellors across universities in Nigeria, including the University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, and the University of Ibadan, who are reportedly planning unjustifiable increments in tuition and other fees,” Babatunde stated.
The students’ body expressed outrage over these plans, vowing to resist any attempt to increase the financial burden on students, especially in light of the Federal Government’s newly introduced Student Loan Scheme.
Babatunde emphasized that such actions would hinder the government’s efforts to make education more accessible.
“These senseless actions are designed to frustrate the successful implementation of the Federal Government’s newly introduced Student Loan Scheme,” he said.
“It has come to our attention that these Vice Chancellors are hatching plans that will undermine President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s noble objective of providing accessible education through the Student Loan Scheme.”
According to NANS, the scheme was created to alleviate the financial challenges faced by Nigerian students, and any attempt to raise tuition fees would defeat its purpose.
The association called on President Tinubu to urgently investigate the issue and take action against Vice Chancellors attempting to push fee increases.
“We call on President Tinubu to urgently investigate this anti-student agenda and take decisive action by sacking these Vice Chancellors who are determined to obstruct educational progress,” Babatunde urged.
NANS also called on parents, education stakeholders, and all Nigerians to join them in opposing the planned fee hikes. “Education should be made affordable and accessible to all, not used as a tool for exploitation.
We remain committed to defending the interests of Nigerian students and ensuring that the scheme is successfully implemented without unnecessary hindrances,” he concluded.
