By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
Students of the College of Nursing at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra State, have protested a 544 per cent hike in tuition from N90,000 to N580,000.
In a video circulating on social media on Tuesday, March 10, students were seen chanting and carrying placards bearing various inscriptions to express their dissatisfaction with the fee hike.
The students could be heard in the footage, which has now gone viral and drew attention on social media platforms, chanting various songs while marching and displaying placards.
The fee hike followed an internal memo reportedly issued on January 23 by the CMAC/Chairman of the Board of NAUTH College of Nursing, O. I. Ezejiofor.
In the memo, the hospital management announced an increase in students’ school fees, effective from the 2025/2026 session, citing the need to upgrade the institution.
Attached to the memo was a breakdown of the new fees, showing N250,000 as tuition, N50,000 for maintenance/caution fee, N50,000 for library fee, N30,000 for medical fee, and N60,000 for examination fees.
The list also includes N20,000 portal fee, N30,000 for transport, N50,000 for accreditation, and N40,000 for another maintenance fee, bringing the total to N580,000.
The hospital directed the students to ensure full and immediate implementation of the new school fees.
The hospital management has not, however, issued an official comment on the protest as of the time of this report.
Footage of the protest generated reactions from Nigerians across social media platforms, with many criticising the hospital management, saying the fee hike is exploitative.
Meanwhile, in a statement on Sunday, March 8, the college’s Student Union President, Chukwuelue Chisom, acknowledged students’ concerns about the increase and the financial and emotional strain it may cause.
He noted that the student leadership was engaging the hospital management on the matter. He assured that his leadership remains committed to protecting the welfare, interests, and academic stability of all students through responsible engagement and transparent communication.
The Students Union president also urged students to channel their concerns through appropriate and established communication platforms and not rely on unverified publications or social media narratives.
