By Ayodele Oni

Following an increase in the registration fee by Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, a Kano State – owned institution, the National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANS), Zone A, has rejected the increment.

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, had earlier waded into the increment by announcing a reduction of the registration fees of tertiary institutions in the state by 50 percent.

Based on the Governor’s directive, the registration fee for indigene students stood at N11,500 per academic session.

But, the leadership of the Zone A, comprising Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states, in a statement signed by its coordinator, Sadi Garba Sa’id, said it discovered that the fee has been hiked and described the development as unacceptable.

The coordinator pointed out that following the directive of the Kano state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf to slash the registration fees by 50 percent, indigenous students were paying between N11,000 and N14,000 per academic session.

According to Said, non-indigene students paid N96,000 last year, lamenting that the amount has now been increased to between N150,000 and N165,000.

“This increment is outrageous considering the economic hardship. We appealed to the university authorities to review this decision, especially for the non-indigene students.

“The leadership of NANS Zone A after careful consideration and consultation with the relevant stakeholders, hereby expresses its strong objection to the recent increment in school fees at Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology.

“This decision is deemed unacceptable, given the prevailing economic hardship faced by numerous families.

“We urge the university management to reconsider this decision and engage in constructive dialogue with the relevant stakeholders, NANS and SUG to explore alternative solutions.

“As representatives of the student body, we urge the management of ADUST to review this decision and engage in meaningful discussions with relevant stakeholders, including NANS and other student representatives,” part of the statement reads.

“The association proposed a reconsideration of the review of the registration fee and the exploration of alternative funding models that do not place undue burdens on students and their families.

“We call on the university management to reverse the increment in school fees, engage in a dialogue with stakeholders, explore alternative solutions to address financial constraints.

“We remain resolute in our pursuit of justice and equity for all students within Zone A” and beyond.

“Any further neglect of these concerns may compel us to explore other legitimate avenues to ensure that the voices of Nigerian students are heard and respected,”

In its reaction the university confirmed the increments of the registration, but said, “it was approved by the state governor.”

The Deputy Registrar, Information and Public Relations of the university, Abdullahi Datti Abdullahi said the decision became necessary in view of the current economic realities.

According to him, the “slashed” registration fee was “unrealistic, as far as running a university is concerned.”

Abdullahi explained that when the new governing council came on board, it realized that the current registration fees were not sufficient for the institution’s running cost, especially in view of the economic situation in the country.

He disclosed that the council swiftly wrote to the governor, after a decision was taken by its finance and general purpose committee, proposing N75,000 for indigenes and N160,000 for non-indigene students respectively.

Abdullahi stated that the governor then approved N46,000 for indigenes and the approval of the non-indigene students remained at the proposed N160,000.

The Deputy Registrar also explained that after approving the N46,000 registration fee proposal by the governing council, the governor then directed that the indigene students should still pay 50 percent, making it N23,000.

“The non-indigene students would still pay the N160,000 registration fee, but the university, out of its magnanimity, has allowed them to pay the fee in two instalments.

“I want the students to understand that this increment is approved by His Excellency the state governor. Additionally, the increment is necessary in view of the fact that the N11,500 registration fee is not sufficient for running a science and technology university.

“The fee will not be enough as running cost. In electricity bill alone, we received not less than N20 million from KEDCO every month. The running cost is much, in view of the current economic realities. The university can never run on that meager registration fee.

“That is why when the governor constituted the governing council, the university authorities engaged them and showed them that the current registration fee is unrealistic to run the university.

“They became convinced and wrote to the governor, who later approved N46,000 after the council proposed N75,000 for indigenes and N160,000 for non-indigene students.

“The governor then directed that the indigene students should pay half of the N46,000 he approved, and the non indigene students should pay the proposed N160,000.