Nigerian students unite against insensitive tuition hike, call for protest
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has strongly condemned the proposed increase in school fees by tertiary institutions in the country.
In a statement released on Saturday and signed by the National PRO, Giwa Temitope, NANS declared the government’s action as “insensitive” and “embarrassing.”
The association emphasized that the government has more than enough resources to fund education and make it accessible. It viewed the introduction of the student loan scheme as a deceitful tactic aimed at persuading Nigerians to accept the fee increments.
NANS asserted that there is no valid justification for raising school fees across tertiary institutions and Unity schools. It demanded the immediate suspension of the fee hike policy and insisted that those who have already implemented it should reverse it without delay.
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“We must categorically state that there is no justification for any increase in school fees at our tertiary institutions and even Unity schools. Our demand is clear and simple; the attempt to increase school fees must be suspended. Moreover, those who have already implemented this policy must reverse it with immediate effect.”
NANS also called on Nigerian students to prepare for a nationwide protest similar to the one during the prolonged ASUU strike until the Federal Government retracts the policy.
“We call upon Nigerian students to be prepared for an all-round nationwide protest, just like we did during the prolonged ASUU strike, until the Federal Government reverses this policy. The increase in school fees at UNILAG and the planned increments in other tertiary institutions across the country demonstrate this administration’s insensitivity.”
“In fact, it is both ridiculous and embarrassing that the government would introduce fee increments without considering the plight of over 133 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty. Raising fees in tertiary institutions will only worsen the poverty situation in the country and increase the number of out-of-school children.”
“As an association, we firmly believe that the Nigerian government has the capacity to adequately fund education and ensure its accessibility. The student loan introduced by the Federal Government is nothing but a facade to deceive Nigerians into accepting fee hikes.”
“Beyond the fact that the loan’s terms are unreasonable, history has shown that not every applicant will be granted the loan. Even if all of them were considered, it still would not justify fee increments in an economy struggling with high unemployment rates. Instead of providing loans, the government must offer grants and scholarships for students.”
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