The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has threatened a mass protest against the management of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, over a tuition fee increase.

The association, through its Joint Campus Committee, Ekiti Axis, gave the management a five-working-day ultimatum to reverse the increment and restore the previous fee structure, warning that failure to comply would trigger a mass protest.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti, the students’ body described the increase as unjustifiable, citing the economic hardship students and their parents face.

The statement was signed by the JCC Chairman, Comrade Yekeen Toheeb; General Secretary, Comrade Olumorin Folafoluwa; and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Ekundayo Goodluck

NANS demanded a complete reversal of the increase, insisting it would not accept a partial reduction, temporary adjustment, or any alternative arrangement instead of restoring the former fees.

The association also urged students to suspend further payments pending the reversal of the increment and further directives from its leadership.

NANS maintained that the increase of more than 15 per cent would impose additional financial burdens on students and their families, many of whom were already struggling with the rising cost of living.

It noted that the polytechnic, as a federal institution, was expected to provide access to higher education at affordable rates, warning that excessive tuition fees could deny students from low-income families the opportunity to pursue their academic ambitions.

It also expressed concern that the increment could disrupt the financial arrangements of students who had applied for loans under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) based on the previous fee structure.

According to the association, students had commenced their loan applications and made financial plans based on the charges in place before the increase.

It said the introduction of additional fees after students had registered under the scheme could expose beneficiaries to unexpected financial obligations, undermine the purpose of the loan programme and potentially disrupt their studies.

NANS further faulted the management for allegedly failing to adequately consult the Students’ Union leadership before implementing the increase.

It said that students, as the direct beneficiaries of the institution’s services and the group most affected by its fee policies, should be involved in decisions capable of determining their ability to continue their education.

The association warned that NELFUND should not justify additional financial demands on students, adding that the cost of running the institution should not be disproportionately transferred to students and their struggling families.

It urged the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Education and NELFUND management to intervene and ensure that policies designed to support students were not undermined by increased tuition fees.

It also warned against any attempt to intimidate or victimise students who complied with its directive to suspend payment, saying such action would attract an appropriate response from the student movement. (The Nation)