The Students’ Union Government, SUG, of the College of Nursing Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, has disowned students who took to the school gate on Tuesday to protest the hike in tuition fee.
The students who carried placards in Nnewi had lamented the astronomical increase in their tuition from N95,000 to N580,000.
But the student’s union leadership of the institution in a press release made available to journalists by the president, Chukwuelue Chisom, said the body knows nothing of the protest and was not part of it.
Chukwuelue said the SUG had already reached the management of the institution about the hike in tuition, and had already received a favourable answer about a roundtable discussion to facilitate adjustment, when it heard of the protest by students.
A press release by the SUG president read; “The SUG leadership formally communicated the concerns and apprehensions of students to the Management of NAUTH in order to seek clarity and possible reconsideration regarding aspects of the newly introduced fee structure.
“We took the responsible steps to engage the appropriate authorities of the institution. During this engagement, the Management acknowledged the concerns presented by the Students’ Union and assured the leadership that the matter had been taken seriously.
“We were informed that a panel would be constituted by the Hospital Management and the Board of the College to carefully review the issues raised regarding the fee adjustment and make appropriate recommendations.
“In the interest of responsible leadership, institutional respect, and constructive dialogue, the Students’ Union Government accepted the assurances given by the management and resolved to allow the constituted panel and the appropriate administrative processes the opportunity to review the matter.
“Unfortunately, before the outcome of this review process could be communicated, some students, overwhelmed by the emotional and financial implications of the development, took to protest in an attempt to express their grievances.”
The President said the union under his watch will remain committed to protecting the interest, welfare, academic stability and collective interest of students, while maintaining respect.
“Leadership, in moments such as this, requires both empathy for the concerns of students and the wisdom to pursue solutions through lawful and institutional processes,” she added.
She appealed to all students to remain calm, orderly, and patient as the panel constituted by the Hospital Management and the Board of the College carries out its review of the matter.
NAUTH fees hike: SUG did not authorise protest by students – President, Chukwuelue
