Parents and students have expressed strong concern over a proposed tuition fee increase at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), saying the planned policy could lead to a rise in school dropouts if implemented, according to accounts from stakeholders at the institution.
The proposal has attracted reactions across social media and within the university community.
The university management is proposing to double current tuition fees, a move that would see students pay 100 per cent more than existing rates. Under the plan, new students would begin paying a ₦50,000 acceptance fee, up from the existing ₦30,000, while tuition and other levies are expected to increase proportionally.
Students interviewed by reporters described the proposed hike as “outrageous” and complained that it was announced with little prior notice or consultation.
A finalist in the Department of Mass Communication said that UNN has historically been valued for its relative affordability, and that an abrupt increase could make education less accessible to many families.
Another student from the Political Science Department highlighted that many classmates come from humble backgrounds and already face pressures from rising living costs, including textbooks, accommodation and basic daily needs, making a steep fee increase more burdensome.
A female student in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences echoed these views, noting that the timing and scale of the proposed change could add stress to students and families already managing financial challenges without adequate early communication.
Self-sponsoring students told reporters that higher fees could force some to defer or abandon their studies due to constrained finances.
Another student, speaking on condition of anonymity, criticised the manner of the proposal’s rollout, suggesting that it bypassed meaningful engagement with students and other stakeholders.
Parents have echoed similar sentiments on social media, warning that sharp increases, particularly in a public institution traditionally seen as accessible, could undermine efforts to broaden educational opportunity.
The debate at UNN reflects broader national concerns about rising education costs across Nigeria’s tertiary sector, where fee increases in various institutions in recent years have sparked protests, appeals and policy discussions among student unions, parents and education stakeholders.
