Even as the students of the University of Nigeria (UNN) Nsukka, battle extremely poor infrastructure in the two campuses of the university, they are currently protesting the 100 per cent hike in their school fees.
The university’s administration had Thirsday published a memo specifying new categories of fees to be paid by its students.
The memo showed that fresh students across the faculties in the university are to pay a consolidated fee of N114,650 to N120,650, while returning students are expected to pay between N85,000 to N95,000.
It was gathered that before the new development, old students in the institution paid a fee of N40,000, while fresh students paid N83,000.
Speaking on the development, a member of the Student Union Government (SUG), who preferred anonymity to avoid victimisation said the students are uncomfortable with the development.
“The students’ reaction is simple – we are not comfortable with the increases; even though the increase appears inevitable, the amount they pushed it to is too high. They simply doubled the school fee, like a 105 percent increase, so it’s much.
“That is what we are agitating for – there should be a reduction. And compared to other federal universities, you would see that we pay higher, unless they promise they will not go on strike again. Unless we are going to take up the responsibility of settling ASUU and all that, they won’t be going on strike like other federal universities, then, the amount is ok,” he said.
Another student was livid with anger over the terrible state of especially the male hostels at the Nsukka Campus of the University, describing the conditions there as a despicable dungeon.
“Look at our hostels. Do they look like where human beings stay? We don’t have enough hostel spaces, yet, the university management abandoned Ziks Flats to be inhabited by snakes and reptiles alone.
“Oga, the Vice-Chancellor and his team are very wicked people. Can you imagine putting other peoples’ children in this squalid environment, called hostel?
“It is our prayer that their own children, including the children of the people running the affairs of the Federal Ministry of Education, should continue to live in this type of environment for ever. They should not taste anything good in their lifetime, ” one of the students spoke angrily.
The Dean Students Affairs Department, Prof. Asogwa, refused to speak when our reporters reached out to him.
Similarly, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Okwun Omeaku, said he was out of town and was unable to comment on the development.
