Nursing students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) have staged a protest against the school management over an alleged increase in tuition fees from N90,000 to N580,000.
In a video circulating on X on Tuesday, the students marched through the streets around the UNIZIK Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) in Nnewi to express their displeasure.
The protesters, dressed in laboratory coats, carried placards with different inscriptions.
Some of the placards read: “From N90,000 to N580,000, very bad,” “Reduce the school fees, it’s too much,” and “Education should open doors, not close them. School fees should be affordable.”
They also chanted protest songs, saying, “We no go gree, we don’t have 580, we no go gree.”
The students described the proposed fee hike as unaffordable and called on the university management to reverse the decision.
Management Explains Fee Increase
Meanwhile, an internal memo signed by Prof. O.I. Ezejiofor, chairman of the board of the NAUTH College of Nursing, has surfaced online.
In the memo, the management said the fee increase is part of ongoing efforts to upgrade the institution.
“The hospital management and the board of the college of nursing, in ongoing efforts 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),” the memo reads.
The management said the decision followed current economic realities and rising operational costs.
“In view of the above, you have been directed to ensure full and immediate implementation of the new school fees,” the memo added.
According to the memo, the new fee structure will take effect from the 2025/2026 academic session.
Breakdown of New Fees
A breakdown of the revised charges shows that tuition will now cost N250,000.
Other charges include maintenance/caution fee of N50,000, library fee of N50,000, medical fee of N30,000, and examination fee of N60,000.
Students will also pay N20,000 for portal access, N30,000 for transportation, N50,000 for accreditation, and N40,000 for accommodation.
Altogether, the new fees amount to N580,000.
