Students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Nnewi, School of Nursing, have protested the “shocking increase” in their tuition fees from N90,000 to N580,000.
In an internal memo reportedly
issued on January 23 by O. I. Ezejiofor, CMAC/chairman of the board of NAUTH
College of Nursing, the hospital management announced an upward review of the
students’ school fees, citing the need to upgrade the institution.
“The hospital management and the Board of the College of
Nursing, in an ongoing effort towards upgrading the institution to a reputable
monotechnic, have approved an upward review of students’ school fees across all
levels in the college (HND/Basic Nursing and Midwifery) in line with the
current economic realities and high operational costs, effective from the
2025/2026 academic session,” the circular reads.
In the breakdown of the new fees attached to the memo,
N250,000 was listed as tuition, N50,000 for maintenance/caution fee, N50,000
for library fee, N30,000 for medical fee, and N60,000 for examination fees.
The list also includes N20,000 portal fee, N30,000 for
transport, N50,000 for accreditation, and N40,000 for another maintenance fee,
bringing the total to N580,000.
The hospital directed the students to “ensure full and
immediate implementation of the new school fees”.
In response to the hike, the students staged a
protest in front of the hospital’s main gate on Tuesday, displaying placards
with various inscriptions, including “From N90,000 to N580,000. Very bad”.
Some of them were dressed in milk-coloured nursing uniforms,
while others wore casual outfits, including white tops and black skirts.
They chanted solidarity songs as they marched in front of
the institution’s main gate.
As of filing this report, the hospital management had yet to
make an official comment on the incident.
‘STUDENT UNION ENGAGING HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT’
In a statement on
Sunday, Chukwuelue Chisom, the student union president of the college,
acknowledged students’ concerns over the increment, saying the student
leadership was engaging the hospital management on the matter.
“It is important to note that the review of school fees was
communicated through an official internal memo issued by the hospital
management and the college board as part of efforts aimed at strengthening
academic standards and meeting evolving educational requirements,” Chisom said.
“The SUG leadership is fully aware of the financial and
emotional burden this increment may place on students and their families. In
response, we have initiated constructive dialogue with the college authorities
and hospital management to present students’ concerns and explore possible
avenues for understanding and support.”
The SUG president said his leadership remains committed to
protecting the welfare, interests, and academic stability of all students
through responsible engagement and transparent communication.
He urged students to channel their concerns through
appropriate and established communication platforms, including the SUG, rather
than relying on unverified publications or social media narratives.
However, the protest also triggered reactions from Nigerians
on X, many of whom criticised the hospital management and described the fee
hike as exploitative.
A user, Sen. Idris Haruna, wrote, “Hiking school fees by
over 500% is nothing short of academic robbery. NAUTH is turning a vital
nursing education into a privilege for the wealthy, completely ignoring the
struggles of hardworking students. This is unacceptable and demands urgent
reversal.”
Another user, Joseph Pajos, wrote: “That’s over 500%
increase. This is honestly shocking. At a time when families are battling
inflation and rising living costs, pushing school fees this high will only shut
the door of education on many students.”
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