THE University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) on Thursday, has said the management has put adequate measures to enable students pay their new registration fees and other charges following the recent hike.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Registrar, Malam Ahmad Lawan and obtained on Wednesday in Maiduguri.
It would be recalled that students and groups in Borno protested against the over 150 per cent increase in fees by the university.
“Students who can’t afford to pay at once can do it in installments. The university council approved the payment of the fees and charges in two instalments. We broke it down to first semester – 60 per cent, 2nd semester – 40 per cent,” Lawan said.
Also, Chairman the Borno Emirate Concerned Citizens Forum (BECCF)Amb. (Dr) Hassan Zanna Boguma said its touched by the excessive increase in tuition fees by the Management of the University of Maiduguri considering the inflationary rate and the current economic realities.
“We genuinely plead with the Management of the University to consider a downward review of the increments. And call on them to create an avenue to relieve parents from the burden of payments at once and instead give the grace of instalmental payments in two terms/semesters, bearing in mind the current economic hardship faced by all.” He said.
In a reaction by the Publicity Secretary of NANS, Borno State Chapter, Mohammed Babagana Mustapha stated that “90% of independent students can not afford the new fees hike.
UNIMAID authorities had on Tuesday 10th January informed its students that they can pay the new fees/charges in two instalments; 60 % for the first semester and 40% for the second.
But this stand was vehemently rejected by NANS as they described the act of the UNIMAID Governing Council as” inhuman considering the economic misfortunes currently in place.
“In view of the above, we urge all students of UNIMAID not to proceed with any payment of whatsoever fee, as the leadership of NANS is currently making consultations and consolidation on the matter.
“As the Nigerians’ right to protest is safeguarded under sections 38, 39, 40 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution, Articles 18, 19 and 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, if pushed to an end, we will not hesitate to come out together with our parents and guardians to voice out our displeasures, disappointments and frustrations in an assembled and peaceful manner each day till the total reversal of the increment fee and other charges.
