In a statement released on Friday and signed by NANS Senate President Afeez Akinteye, the student organization dismissed assertions that student representatives had consented to the proposed fee hikes. NANS reiterated its strong opposition to any increase in tuition and accommodation costs at UNILAG.
Furthermore, NANS issued a warning, indicating that it would hold a National Congress on the UNILAG campus if the university management moves forward with the fee increases. The statement called for open dialogue and urged the university to prioritize the welfare and academic success of its students.
Akinteye made NANS’s position clear: “We unequivocally deny any agreement regarding an annual increase in student fees. The assertion that student representatives have accepted this proposal is untrue, and we vehemently reject any attempt to use this misinformation to justify fee hikes that place an additional burden on students and their families.
“We stand united with UNILAG students in opposing these imposed increases in tuition and hostel fees. The argument of financial necessity cannot be leveraged to exploit students, particularly when such increases severely impact access to education for countless Nigerian youths.”
The statement also criticized the management's suggestion for students unhappy with hostel fees to seek off-campus housing, labeling it as insensitive to the financial challenges faced by students.
“If UNILAG proceeds with the fee increase, we will hold a National Congress on the UNILAG campus, which will continue until the Students’ Union Government (SUG) is reinstated and a legitimate fee review process is established,” Akinteye warned. “We are ready to take drastic measures, including shutting down the institution, if the administration remains inflexible. The costs of education cannot keep rising without corresponding enhancements in campus facilities or services.”
NANS ended with a reminder to all stakeholders that education should be viewed as a right rather than a privilege, reiterating its dedication to providing Nigerian students with equitable and affordable access to educational opportunities.