University of Nigeria Nsukka’s proposed 100 per cent fee hike has ignited fury among students and parents, fearing mass dropouts in Nigeria’s economic crunch. After protests and talks, it’s down to 60%—but many say even that’s too much for a public varsity meant for the masses, reports EDWARD NNACHI

It’s no longer news that the management of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka is proposing to increase the school’s tuition fee by a 100% which is already generating controversies from different quarters, within and beyond the university.

The proposal if becomes a reality will see students pay double of what they pay as the current school fee with new students being affected the most. In the proposal, new students are alleged to start paying fifty thousand naira as acceptance fee, a huge hike from the thirty thousand that was the price.

Since the past week, students and parents alike have been lamenting on this increment policy and have taken to social media calling for a reduction in the fee increment.

The reason for this is not far-fetched, the University of Nigeria is a public university and as such one for the common man on the street consequently implying that a drastic fee increase may see most students drop out from school because of financial constraints to continue.

In a convergence of views and opinions, our correspondent asked students, parents and lecturers of the institution what they make of this proposed increment and the possible solution to it.

Nwabunwanne Chigozie, a finalist in the department of mass communication lamented that the fee increment was outrageous and a decision taken out of improper communication and called for a total reduction to the hike.

“It’s outrageous. It’s a decision made out of shallow thoughts. Most of us came to University of Nigeria, not because of its name, but also how affordable its education was. I want cheap not free education.

“Now, without proper communication and prior notice, I’m slammed with a 104 percent increase. As a young man who has been paying his fees, I want to personally ask the management of University of Nigeria, Nsukka if education is now meant for the rich. If so I shall make way for their children by dropping out. If not, if education is a right not a privilege, then the hike is to me, totally unacceptable,” he said.

Cosmos Kenechukwu, another finalist from Political Science department opined that fee increment shouldn’t be the top concern given that most students in the school are from humble backgrounds and still have other costs to cover apart from tuition fees.

“While we understand the university’s need to maintain high academic standards and infrastructure which is very necessary, a tuition hike at this time would be devastating for a significant portion of the student body. Many of our colleagues come from humble backgrounds and are already stretched to their limits. Education costs are not just about tuition; students must still cover: rising costs of textbooks and course materials, off campus lodge and hostel accommodations; daily feeding and basic survival expenses.

When asked what the school management was aiming to achieve by the proposed fee hike, he opined that should explore other alternative means of getting funds and running the institution.

“Increasing fees risks forcing brilliant students out of school, not for lack of intellect, but for lack of means. We urge the administration to explore alternative funding models that do not place the entire burden on students and their struggling families”, he added.

Still getting the pulses of students as regards the proposed fee hike, Cynthia Ngwu from the faculty of pharmaceutical sciences also said the hike came too sudden stressing that students should be notified first before these decisions are made.

“I feel the tuition fee increment is utterly outrageous and too sudden. If at all any adjustments must be made, the management should consider students’ welfare and the fact that some families struggle to pay these fees. Moreover, UNN is a public university, I see no reason why tuition should be made high. Appropriate and early announcement should be made to alert students on time so that necessary adjustments can be made,” she stressed.

As for Favour Azubuike, students who sponsor themselves are mostly at risk if the proposal eventually comes to light. She said: “Considering students who sponsor themselves in school and parents who aren’t that financially buoyant, this hike in school fees can result in a lot of students dropping out”.

Another student who pleaded on the condition of anonymity talked about open consultation before such decisions are being made.

“So about this fee hike, in my opinion this is just proof that the school runs like a dictatorship because increasing fees without prior discussion shows that we students have been sidelined from how the school runs. Even if there’s need for more funds, it should have been increased gradually, let’s say by 10 to 20% or thereabout. Increasing fees by a 100+ percent is just outrageous”.

She also shared the unpleasant experiences she may encounter if the fee hike succeeds.

“Take myself for instance, I had already budgeted 150k to cover my school fees, hostel fees and sign in fees; with this increment I don’t even know if I’ll be able to pay just the school fees alone… Education should not be made a burden; as if it is not enough that youth of these days are starting to see education as scam,” she stated.

Given the role of parents and guardians in all of these, this report will not be complete without getting their thoughts. Our correspondent spoke to few parents who also expressed their displeasure at the sudden proposal to increase tuition.

A man who identified as Mr. Ikechukwu Aloysius told our correspondent that he may be considering withdrawing his wards from school if the increment pulls through stressing that the economic realities in the country is too bad for a public university to take that kind of decision.

“I am an artisan and I have three children who are all going to public universities because it’s considered cheaper and now that hope seems to be dashed? The school management should have a rethink and look into the issue because I may have no other option than to withdraw my wards if these increment sees the light of day,” he said.

Another parent who identified as Mrs. Evelyn Anyim complained that the fees and other expenses are too much for them to handle.

“My son just got admission and I have to pay his fees as well as provide him with other necessary provisions. I understand that to fund education needs money but the unnecessary increase in acceptance fee is a burden to families who already budgeted a different amount earlier, this is very unfair, we should consider the economic situation of the country and understand that to make money right now is very difficult. Something needs to be done about this, it’s unfair,” she said.

Some academic staffs also shared their thoughts regarding the issue.

A lecturer at political science department who pleaded anonymity urged that the fee increment needs to be reviewed for the benefit of the parents who pay them so that it won’t see to the withdrawal of most students from school.

“With my interaction with seven different parents who called me as regard to school fees hike, lamented that some of their children will be withdrawn from the universities over the development. They could not afford presently to finance the school fees of all of them with expenses of hostel accommodations, getting food materials and other unaccounted expenses to their children.

He continued: “Though from the direct source that the VC and SUG administration are deliberating to reduce the fees, let it be effective so that Parents and Guardians can afford the payment of the school fees of the children”.

Another lecturer from Arts faculty who pleaded anonymous said that lecturers will be the worst hit given their amount of pay.

She said: “I do know that lecturers are the worst hit. How can you pay tuition for 3 or 4 children considering our meagre earnings? Professors earn between 450k and 500k. How can a prof pay for more than a child when it’s obviously higher than his salary?

“What about the junior lecturers? That’s our reality. I’m typing without glasses because I can’t even afford it for now. So you see how complicated the issue is.”

For Rosemary, a final year student in the department of mass communication at the UNN, the development was worrisome.

She said: “The average ones who are willing to learn from the little they have won’t be able to afford the school fees anymore. “Imagine paying double of what you paid as a first year student.” Rosemary also said they have to consider parents because there are some parents that have up to three or five children in school that they sponsor. “Imagine paying that whole amount on school fees only; what about the house rent, feeding and other expenses?”

Also, a final student of Philosophy in the institution, Juliet Ugwuoke, lamented the development, saying it would subject scholars to precarious situation.

According to her, “I was so heartbroken when I heard of the school fees increment and when I told my dad about it, he also complained because the fees now is like double of what we were paying before.

“I know some students who might drop out of school if the outrageous school fees increment continues. The school fees hike will affect my feeding and my final year project. The only option now is to pay for my fees in installment.”

Chidera, a 400-level student in the Social Works department, said the fee increment came as a surprise to her. “Increasing school fees to that much is not plausible at all,” she said.

Some lecturers approached by our correspondent declined comment on the issue for personal reasons.

Speaking on the development, the Students Union Government Director of Information, Chris Ozowara, urged the students to remain calm, stressing that the student body was still active in dialogue with the university management to review and solve the issue.

However, the management of UNN has reached a consensus with the institution’s Student Union Government (SUG) to reduce the proposed 100 per cent sundry charges by the Council for the 2025/2026 academic session to 40 per cent.

This came after weeks of dialogue and negotiation with the student union bodies of all the campuses of the institution.

In a press statement on Saturday, the Acting Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mr Inya Agha Egwu, revealed that the management of the university negotiated with members of the students’ body and eventually reached a consensus and agreed that the institution’s sundry charges should be increased by 60 per cent as against a 100 per cent increment proposed by the Council for the 2025/2026 academic session.

According to the PRO, the new agreement stipulates that both new and returning students will now pay an increased 60 per cent of the existing sundry charges for the 2025/2026 session, which he said represents a 40 per cent reduction from the initial proposed 100 per cent increment.

“The agreement was reached on Friday at a meeting between the University Management, acting on behalf of the Governing Council, and the SUG representatives, including the SUG Presidents of Nsukka and Enugu Campuses, Speakers of the Legislative Arms, and the Senate President of the SUG.

“The resolution is the outcome of weeks of sustained negotiations that commenced in December 2025.

“During the discussions, student representatives explained that they adjusted their earlier position of a 30 per cent increment in recognition of prevailing fees in comparable universities and the urgent need to upgrade infrastructure in the University of Nigeria.

“The University Council, through the management, had earlier shifted its stance from 100 per cent increment to 90 per cent before agreeing to the students’ plea for 60 per cent on Friday.

“Following the council’s conclusion, both parties formally signed an agreement outlining key terms, including provision for payment of the new fees in two instalments across the two semesters to ease the financial burden on parents and guardians, and no increment in students’ accommodation fees for the 2025/2026 academic session.

“At the end of the deliberations, the SUG leadership expressed appreciation to the University Governing Council for its understanding and responsiveness.” (The PUNCH)

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