- Tells Varsity Managements To Introduce Work Study Programs To Support Students’ Finances
By Ayomide Joseph
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a directive to students of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) and Federal Polytechnic Offa, urging them not to pay more the the amount they paid as tuition fees during the last academic session.
In a statement released on Monday and made available to The New Diplomat, the student group strongly opposed the proposed increase in tuition fees at FUTA and the Federal Polytechnic Offa.
NANS in the statement signed by its President Pedro Obi argued that the decisions to raise fees in these institutions were not in the best interest of the students. The statement by NANS read, “The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) would like to express our strong opposition to the proposed increase in tuition fees at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, and the Federal Polytechnic, Offa. These decisions were made without consideration of the students’ best interests and were not made in good faith. We strongly urge the management of these institutions to reconsider their decisions and engage with student representatives in a meaningful way going forward.
“By this letter, we are urging students at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) and the Federal Polytechnic, Offa not to pay a single dime more than the previous tuition fees.
“Furthermore, we would like to reiterate our commitment to the welfare of all Nigerian students and to ensuring that they can access quality education without undue financial burden. We urge the management of all Nigerian Higher Institutions to take this commitment seriously and to work with us to find solutions that are fair and equitable for all. We are open to dialogue and collaboration and believe that together, we can create a better future for all Nigerian students.”
This directive comes as higher institutions in the country continue to unanimously hike their tuition fees.
In 2023, the University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Obafemi Awolowo University announced over a 100 per cent hike in their tuition fees. Other universities have followed suit also increasing their tutions by various degrees.
The development sparked outrage and a series of kickbacks from Nigerians expressing concerns about how indigent students will afford the fees.
However, the union further called on university managements to introduce Work Study programs to enable students to earn stipends while they carry out their academic work.
