NANS resists 38 universities plans to increase fees

The plans to increase tuition fees by 38 universities have been rejected as the National Association of Nigerian Students describes the move as administrative ineptitude.

The president of the association, Chinonso Obasi in a statement issued on Wednesday, July 28, in Abuja said the student body had received reports that 38 universities across the nation have finalised plans to increase tuition fees.

Obasi condemned the plan saying the association is pained that students are always made to bear the brunt of the administrative ineptitude of the university management.

He said, “In saner climes, education funding includes revenue from researches and consultative collaborations.

“Implementation of UNESCO strategies, particularly commercialising research findings should occupy Nigeria educational institutions rather than constant hike in tuition fees payable by hapless students.

''However, NANS believes that the planned hike in tuition fees would be the last straw that would break the cycle of obnoxious levy on learning and pursuit of education.’’

Commenting on the state of education in Nigeria, Obasi said that Nigerian students are already studying under a poor condition and they do not deserve such punishment as tuition hike as this would impede their dream of a better future.

He, therefore, called on the Federal Government and universities management to find a better way to fund their institutions.

''If administrators of Nigeria’s educational institutions have run out of ideas for funding and sustaining educational institutions in the country, they should feel free to liaise with students to explore new ways of funding the institutions.

“While we express our readiness to dialogue with chief executives of tertiary institutions, NANS wishes to reiterate the fact that Nigerian students have been patient with the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

“The President Buhari administration should recognise that this is time to reward the understanding and cooperation of Nigerian students with education subsidy, proper funding of education and adequate welfare initiatives for students,’’ he said.

On Monday, June 27, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had alerted Nigerians to the proposed plan to increase tuition fees by 38 Universities due to poor funding from both State and Federal Government.