The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) has suspended the implementation of a newly introduced ₦580,000 tuition fee for students in its School of Nursing, following widespread protests by the affected students.
The decision was announced by the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of NAUTH, Prof. Joseph Ugboaja, after engagements with the institution's governing board and student representatives. The suspension means students will continue paying the previous fee structure of ₦90,000 while a committee reviews the proposed increase and recommends a more suitable adjustment.
The dramatic fee hike, representing over a 500% increase from ₦90,000 — sparked outrage among nursing students, who described it as "outrageous," "unbearable," and likely to force many from low-income families to drop out. Protests erupted earlier this week, with students marching peacefully through parts of Nnewi, carrying placards, blocking the school gate at times, and chanting slogans such as "We no go gree!" (We won't agree!) to demand a reversal.
The fee adjustment had been outlined in an internal memo issued on January 23 by the Chairman of the Board of the NAUTH College of Nursing, citing the need to upgrade facilities, improve infrastructure, and provide better services to students. Management had initially defended the change as necessary and still relatively affordable compared to other nursing institutions in the region.
However, the student-led demonstrations highlighted deep concerns over the economic hardship the new fees would impose amid Nigeria's challenging cost-of-living crisis. Videos and reports of the protests circulated widely on social media, amplifying calls for intervention by authorities.
In response, Prof. Ugboaja expressed sympathy for the students' concerns and emphasized that the suspension was granted out of compassion. He assured that dialogue would continue to address the issues and ensure the institution's sustainability without unduly burdening students.
The development has been welcomed by many students and observers as a victory for collective action, though the final outcome awaits the committee's recommendations. The School of Nursing at NAUTH trains students in programs including Basic Nursing, Midwifery, and HND Nursing, serving as a key institution for healthcare workforce development in the Southeast.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com