The University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) may be heading for another squabble with its students’ union as the school authorities have increased the tuition of undergraduates by 100 per cent across the board.
The breakdown of the new tuition structure for students, according to documents obtained by SaharaReporters on Friday shows that:
“Faculties of social sciences, VTE, Agriculture sciences, Education and Arts will now pay N110,000 for first-year students; N85,000 for 200 and 300 levels while final year students will pay N83,000.
“For the Faculties of Business Administration and Environmental Science, students will now pay N114,000 for 100 level, 200/300 levels will pay N85,000 while final year students will pay N83,000
“Faculties of physical sciences and biological sciences will now pay N112,000, N85,000, N83,000.
“Faculty of Engineering will now pay N116,000 N85,000 and N83,000 for year one, others and final year students respectively.
“Faculties of Law and vet. medicine will now pay N119,000; N95,000 and N92,000.
“Faculties of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Health sciences and Basic Medical Sciences will now pay N120,000; N95,000 and 92,000.”
Hostel fees have also been increased to N35,000 annually.
By the increments, students are now to pay a 100 percent increase in their tuition and hostel fees.
Meanwhile, the Students Union Government has appealed to students and the university community to be calm while they discuss the matter with the school authorities.
In a public notice captioned, “Attention: University Community – Resolution of the UNEC JCC meeting held on November 30th 2022 regarding the proposed fee increment for undergraduate students,” the SUG advised students to stay calm and that they are working for the interest of students.
The letter with Ref. No: SUG/UNEC/021/019 dated November 30, 2022, was signed by SUG President, UNEC, Comr. Cyprian C Idoko (Behaviour); Speaker, SUG House of Reps., UNEC, Rt. Hon. Isaac Fredrick, and Deputy Senate President, Dist. Sen. Ali Cajetan.
The letter reads, “We recall that a meeting of the Union leaders of both campuses and the University held on Saturday 26th November, 2022 for discussions bordering on students which was swiftly followed by an extended University management meeting on Tuesday 29th November, 2022 wherein it was decided that fees paid by undergraduate students of the University will be reviewed upward- from tuition fee to hostel fee.
“In our peculiar manner, we had asked to take the issues raised to the student community for extensive discussion. Given the nature of the matter and the need for the University to begin preparations for a new session, we had noted that an emergency meeting of the Executive Council, members of the House of Representatives and Senate, Hall Government officials, and Faculty and Departmental Presidents will provide an avenue for such deliberations; thus, we converged on the SUG Secretariat UNEC at 5pm on Wednesday, 30th November, 2022.
“In the minds of the students, the University’s reasons for proposing an increment, while not out of place, are not in tune with the realities felt and lived by students.
“In the tenor of such reasoning, the JCC noted that: A situation where development levies paid in the past in tuition fees do not translate to a raise in infrastructure in Enugu campus, old site, or Ituku is unpalatable to students.
“A situation where students are forced to pay to write exams, engage in cadaver, pharmacology and many other practicals.
“Many other issues that when listed would assume an Encyclopedia-esque format, all of which leave much to be desired.
“Indeed, the students failed to see why there would be any departure from those norms if such astronomical figures as proposed become the new fees payable.
“Drawing from that, the JCC has decided that: Any increase in fees as being planned by the University is totally unacceptable to the students.
“That students are only open to pay fees they consider considerate and in touch with the prevailing economic conditions of our time.
“That in line with our ethos of being at the vanguard of ‘restoring man’s dignity’ and being primarily a citadel of learning, the University must not bring in fees that set it on a path other than as espoused.”
“Finally, students remain open to dialogue and cooperation and ever committed to the University’s quest for erudition,” the letter concludes.
