Backlashes have continued to trail the recent outrageous increment of tuition fees in publicly-owned universities in Nigeria especially Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma, Edo state, but the management is not backing down just yet, reports Political Economist NG.

About a month ago, the university management told the students about the 300% hike in the tuition fees, stating that it affects only the incoming and 200-Level students. The institution hiked their law students fees to over N600,000 as against the less than N200,000 that was being paid.

Political Economist NG reports that Netizens who are said to be alumni of the institution expressed shock as aggrieved students took to social media to express their dissatisfactions concerning the recent development, stating that if they or their sponsors had such amount, they would all be in private universities.

The students expressed their displeasure, arguing that the hike will cause a terrible financial pressure on their parents, guardians and most especially those who see themselves through school.

They also said it was unjustifiable to pay such amount as tuition fee for a school that would go on strike at any point in time.

With no response from the school authorities, the students on June 26th 2023, with the support of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), took the protest to the school gate, demanding for reduction in their tuition fees.

The protesting students bore placards with various messages namely, “Education is not a privilege but a right” and “Let the poor breathe, do not suffocate them”.

“There is too harsh to bear. Our parents are bleeding and they want to add to their pain. Some students are here on self-sponsorship. How will they cope?” yelled one of the protesting students who refused to disclose his name.

Contributed by Clementina Amaka Ugbechie