The leadership of the National Associations of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Council, Ondo Axis, on Saturday, expressed resentment regarding the recent hike in tuition payable by students at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA).
The body of students in Ondo Axis, under the umbrella of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), in a statement tagged, “Exorbitant Tuition Fees: Open Letter To Federal University Of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Management”, described the hike disheartening and unthinkable at this period of
economic hardship in the country.
Comrade Salami Rosheed, the
Ag. Chairman, NANS JCC Ondo Axis in the statement signed by
Comrade Okeniyi Elijah, the Public Relations Officer at the axis read in part, “As the apex students’ representative body in the state, we vehemently oppose this decision and we are prepared to take necessary actions to ensure that it is rectified in no distant time.
“… We speak on behalf of the students whose aspirations and academic journey are now being jeopardized by this unexpected burden and inhumane increment.
“We firmly believe that education is a fundamental right and not a privilege reserved for some selected few, hence, education must be accessible to all Nigerian students.
“The recent cruel decision to inflate tuition fees goes against the principles of accessibility and equality that education should embody.
The association lamented that the cut-throat hike runs counter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s bid to ease the financial constraints of Nigerian students.
NANS in the statement rejected the arbitrary hike and urged the FUTA management to rescind its decision, re-evaluate the new fee regime or completely reverse the hike.
The association said the hike has added to the worries of its members who are now facing increased challenges, saying the hike contradicts the very essence of fostering an environment where education serves as a vehicle for social mobility.
It added, “The purported 400 per cent hike scheduled for 2024 is a move that not only contradicts the spirit of accessible education but also threatens to quash the dreams of many aspiring minds.
“We call on the FUTA management to reconsider this decision immediately. Failure to do so will be met with resolute action from the student body. We are prepared to employ every lawful means at our disposal to ensure that the fundamental right to affordable education is not trampled upon.
“Our demand is clear: Reverse the tuition fee hike and engage in transparent dialogue with the student representatives. We expect that the management, in its wisdom, will comprehend the far-reaching consequences of this decision and act in the best interest of the students and their pursuit of education, NANS Joint Campus Council Ondo Axis added.