Students of the School of Nursing at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital have staged a protest over what they described as a shocking increase in their tuition fees from ₦90,000 to ₦580,000.
The protest took place on Tuesday at the institution’s main gate in Nnewi, where students gathered to express their dissatisfaction with the new fee structure.
The increase was communicated through an internal memo reportedly issued on January 23 by O. I. Ezejiofor, the CMAC and chairman of the board of the NAUTH College of Nursing.
According to the memo, the hospital management approved the upward review of school fees as part of efforts to upgrade the institution into a reputable monotechnic and to address rising operational costs.
“The hospital management and the Board of the College of Nursing, in an ongoing effort towards upgrading the institution to a reputable monotechnic, have approved an upward review of students’ school fees across all levels in the college (HND/Basic Nursing and Midwifery) in line with current economic realities,” the memo stated.
A breakdown of the new fee structure shows that ₦250,000 was allocated for tuition, ₦50,000 for maintenance and caution fee, ₦50,000 for library fee, ₦30,000 for medical services, and ₦60,000 for examination fees.
Other charges include ₦20,000 portal fee, ₦30,000 transport fee, ₦50,000 accreditation fee, and an additional ₦40,000 maintenance fee, bringing the total to ₦580,000.
The management also directed students to ensure the full and immediate implementation of the revised fees.
In response, the students marched around the hospital premises carrying placards with inscriptions such as “From ₦90,000 to ₦580,000 – Very bad.” Many of the protesters were seen wearing their milk-coloured nursing uniforms, while others appeared in casual outfits including white tops and black skirts as they chanted solidarity songs.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the students’ union has begun discussions with the management over the development.
In a statement, the Student Union Government president, Chukwuelue Chisom, acknowledged the concerns raised by students and assured them that steps were being taken to address the issue.
Chisom said the union was aware of the financial pressure the increment could place on students and their families and had opened dialogue with the hospital management to explore possible solutions.
He added that the student leadership remains committed to protecting the welfare and academic stability of all students through responsible engagement and transparent communication.
