The Management of Nnamdi Azikiwe university (UNIZIK) has increased the tuition fees of the students which did not go well with the students thereby leading to a peaceful protest by the Students.
Speaking with Kpakpando Fm Correspondent, Ebuka Egbewuike, A 200 level Mass communication student, Miss Chidimma Nwaribe, explained that the protest started on Monday, July 12, at Garuba square, where the students conveyed and proceeded to the administration block to speak to the vice Chancellor, Professor Charles Esimone.
She further explained that the tuition fees was formerly 21,000 naira but, it was increased to 55,000 naira.
The acceptance fee was also increased from 25,000 naira to 45,000 naira.
Speaking with another protester, John, a 400 level computer science education student, disclosed that the Vice chancellor was able to address them on the second day of the protest.
He said that the Vice chancellor asked them to bring their representatives within 24 hours who would speak on their behalf but they refused because there is a very possibility of them being pressured to agree to their terms and conditions against the wishes of the students.
However, a 300 level political science student who chose to remain anonymous expressed his heartfelt grievances on the increment of the tuition fees and also how the grounds for such was not communicated at all.
He said that the students were not informed at all and they are not backing out of this protest until a positive change is effected.
On his part, The Former President of the Student Union Government, (SUG), Mr Joseph Okafor, said that the students voice should be heard of which the SUG counterpart has always represented the students and fought for their interest of which there is no relenting whatsoever.
He said they will go into dialogue with the management, as they have a listening management and they will definitely look into the matter, which is the reason they gave them 24 hour to adjust the problems.
He also said that students on their part, go through a lot, some are training themselves in school; some equally know what their parents go through to pay fees and so many other factors.
The office of the Vice Chancellor could not be reached as at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, Nnamdi Azikiwe University had said that the University Management did not increase the school fees of its student but only harmonized the different fees, and by this no student is expected to make any other payment to the different Faculties, Department and Union fees.
This harmonization came up in obedience to the Federal Government instruction on (TSA) Treasury Single Account ( that no Faculty or Department) should have separate accounts.
Based on this the University Management constituted a Committee ( COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL FEES REFORM) that carried out this harmonization of school fees which gave rise to its implementation since 2019/2020 Academic Session.
The harmonized fees includes Faculty levy, Departmental levy, Convocation levy,Students Union Fees, ICT Services, Examination fee, Laboratory/Studie/Clinical Fee, Laboratory test, x-Ray test, National Health Insurance Scheme, Development Levy, Students Union Fee Accreditation.
