NANS Rejects Tuition Hikes, Demands Transparency from ABU

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), represented by President Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, has publicly rejected arbitrary increases in tuition and other charges imposed by universities, particularly in response to recent adjustments by Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria. Afeez stated that the financial burden of public education should not fall on vulnerable students and emphasized that while NANS supports the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), it should not replace adequate government funding for public universities.

He clarified that NELFUND is a loan scheme requiring repayment after graduation, which does not guarantee affordability for students facing rising tuition costs. Afeez acknowledged the increasing operational costs of universities but insisted that these should not be passed onto students without accountability.

He called for transparency from institutions regarding their funding needs and the rationale for any proposed fee increases, urging ABU and others to disclose specific financial details and explore all alternatives before imposing additional costs on students and their families.