Following the hike in tuition fee by the school management, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has kicked against the University of Lagos (UNILAG) management, dissociating itself from any agreement on the proposed fee hike.
NANS made its stand known today, Friday through its Senate President, NANS headquarters, Senator Akinteye Afeez Babatunde, denying claims that student representatives were carried along and have consented to the hikes, saying the claim by the school as misleading and an attempt to justify financial burdens on students and their families.
NANS have reiterated its stance by the students against the school decision to inflict hardship on student in this trying time.
It argued that there is no rational or what so ever that will justify exploitation of student especially when such move threatens the accessibility of education against millions of Nigerian youth.
The student body taunted the school management for urging student to opt for off-campus accommodation instead of the school owned hostel for being too expensive.
NANS described the statement of the school management as insensitive, highlighting the existing financial strain that many students face.
“In response to the fee hikes, NANS announced plans to convene a National Congress on UNILAG’s campus.”
“This gathering aims to unify students from across Nigeria to collectively oppose the fee increases and will remain active until the Students’ Union Government (SUG) is reinstated and a genuine fee review process is implemented.”
“NANS reiterated its commitment to ensuring that education remains affordable and of high quality.”
Meanwhile, NANS threatened that if the school forge ahead with the fee hike without recourse to retract its earlier stance, the school will have to face the student’s wrath which will include a permanent shutdown of the school.
The student laments that the escalating cost of access to education in Nigeria is getting out of hand especially with the inadequate facilities found within most campuses.
Therefore, NANS is calling on the UNILAG management to engage in transparent dialogue that will prioritise student’s welfare and academic success.
NANS threatened that failure by the school management to address these concern would lead to unified resistance by the students body.
Meanwhile, it’s reminded all stakeholders in education to be reminded that education is their fundamental human right not privilege that should be toiled with, reaffirming that NANS will continue to fight for the cause of its members in education across the nation.