National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has declared its readiness to protest against tertiary institutions that have or intend to increase fees.
President of the association, Chinonso Obasi, made the declaration in a statement issued in Abuja.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had on Monday informed Nigerians that 38 universities had increased their tuition due to poor funding by the federal and state governments.
Obasi said the association is not happy with the move as Nigerian students had over the years been made to bear the brunt of poor management of tertiary institutions.
”In saner climes, education funding includes revenue from researches and consultative collaborations.
”Implementation of UNESCO strategies, particularly commercialising research findings should occupy Nigeria educational institutions and not constant hike in tuition fees payable by hapless students.
”However NANS believes that the planned hike in tuition fees would be the last straw that would break the cycle of obnoxious levy on learning and pursuit of education.’’
”Consequently NANS wishes to serve notice to the authorities concerned that Nigerian students will never endure any increase in tuition at this time of the nation’s socio-economic challenges,” the association declared.
Obasi urged administrators of institutions to meet with students to explore new ways of funding the schools, if they had run ”out of ideas” of funding and sustaining the sector.
He also urged the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to reward the cooperation of Nigerian students with education subsidy.
”The President Buhari administration should recognise that this is time to reward the understanding and cooperation of Nigerian students with education subsidy, proper funding of education and adequate welfare initiatives for students.”
