Posted on: Wed 11-03-2026

Students of the College of Nursing Sciences at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, in Anambra State, on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest over a sharp increase in tuition fees, describing the increment as excessive and unaffordable.

The students marched through parts of Nnewi town carrying placards and chanting slogans while calling on the school management to reverse the fee hike.

Videos circulating on social media showed groups of students displaying placards with inscriptions such as “Save our education. Education is not oppression,” and “No to fraud and extortion of students.”

The protesters alleged that the institution increased the school fees from about N90,000 to N580,000, representing an increase of more than 500 per cent, which they said has placed a heavy financial burden on students and their families.

The demonstration followed an internal memo issued by the management of the College of Nursing Sciences announcing an upward review of school fees across all academic levels.

According to the memo, the adjustment formed part of efforts to upgrade the institution into a reputable monotechnic.

“The hospital management and the Board of the College of Nursing, in an ongoing effort towards upgrading the institution to a reputable monotechnic, has approved an upward review of students’ school fees across all levels in the college,” the memo, signed by the Chairman of the Board, O. I. Ezejiofor, stated.

The notice further indicated that the revised fee structure would take effect immediately for the 2025/2026 academic session.

Under the previous structure, a 100-level student reportedly paid about N250,000 in total fees, including N100,000 for tuition, N30,000 for maintenance and caution fees, N10,000 library fee, N60,000 for medical examinations and services, N20,000 examination fee, N10,000 portal fee, and N10,000 hostel maintenance charge.

However, under the newly introduced “annual regular fee” structure, the total payment has risen to N580,000.

The new breakdown includes N250,000 for tuition, N50,000 maintenance and caution fee, N50,000 library fee, N60,000 examination fee, and N20,000 portal fee.

Additional charges listed in the revised structure include N30,000 medical fee, N30,000 transport fee, N50,000 accreditation fee, and N40,000 accommodation maintenance fee.

Students, however, insist that the new fees are unaffordable, particularly at a time when many families are already grappling with economic challenges, and have urged the management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital to review the decision.

---

---