NANS Rejects Tuition Hike In Tertiary Institutions, Vows To Protest

National Association of Nigerian Students has rejected the hike in school fees announced  by public tertiary institutions in the country, describing the decision by the Federal Government as "insensitive” and “embarrassing'

National PRO of the students apex body, Giwa Temitope who expressed the concern of the association in a statement on Saturday, also stressed that the government has what it takes to fund education and make it accessible

According to NANS, the introduction of the student loan scheme is a sham and a bait to make Nigerians accept fee increments.

The association insisted that there was no justification for an increase in school fees across tertiary institutions and Unity schools, vowing to mobilize students for a prolonged protest against the increment to compel Federal Government to reverse to its policy the old fees payable by students 

NANs demanded that the increase in school fees should be suspended, adding that those who have implemented the policy should reverse it immediately.

“We must state categorically that there is no justification for increment in school fees across our tertiary institutions and even Unity schools. Our demand is clear and simple; the attempt to increase school fees must be suspended. And, those that have floated it must reverse it with immediate effect,” the association warned 

“The increment of school fees at UNILAG and the planned increment across tertiary institutions in the country has shown this administration to be a very insensitive one,''

“As a matter of fact, it is most ridiculous and embarrassing that the government will be introducing fees increment without thinking of rescuing over 133 million Nigerian people from multidimensional poverty"

“Increment in fees across tertiary institutions will only complicate the poverty situation of the country and also increase the number of out-of-school children.

“As an association, we believe that the Nigerian government has what it takes to massively fund education and make it accessible. In fact, the student loan that was introduced by the Federal Government is nothing but a sham and bait to lure the Nigerian people into accepting increments in fees payable.

“Beyond the fact that the terms of the loan are ridiculous, history has taught us that not every applicant will be considered. And, even if all of them were to be considered, it still does not justify an increment in an economy that tops the unemployment index. Rather than give loans, the government must provide grants and scholarships for students," NANS suggested