STUDENTS AT UNIZIK PANIC WHEN THE ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES THE FINAL PAYMENT DEADLINE FOR TUITION

Tunji Wusu –

Due to their inability to pay their tuition by the deadline of July 23 as set by the administration of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (Unizik) Awka, Anambra State, some students are presently in a reflective mood. The administration is led by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Charles Okechukwu Esimone.

In a notification, Chika G. Ene, the university’s acting head of information and public relations, stated, “The Vice-Chancellor has generously accepted the final extension for the payment of school charges until Sunday, July 23, 2023.

“This is the second and last postponement for paying the school fees. It is encouraged that students pay right away in order to enrol for classes in time for the impending exams.

Some of the students who were unable to submit their work by the deadline, nevertheless, are concerned about what they consider to be the school administration’s insensitivity to the country’s current economic situation.

Some students who spoke with Nigerian Tribune on the condition of anonymity shared their worries, saying that they are unable to focus on studying because their future is so uncertain.

“We have always paid the school fees; it’s not that we don’t want to. Although some of us even started paying right away after returning from vacation, things are currently difficult for our parents.

“We urge the school administration to give our parents some time to organize and raise the funds necessary to cover the fees. When the final extension expired, it was declared that any student who hadn’t paid would have to pay a fee of 25,000 Naira (N25,000). The management’s treatment of this is severe and unkind.

Due to the current economic crisis that many Nigerians are currently experiencing, the students begged the management for extra patience and a permanent suspension of the payment deadline.

They also accused Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka’s Students Union Government (SUG) leadership for failing to appropriately represent students’ interests and siding with the institution’s administration.

The students bemoaned, “At NAU, we are on our own. We are aware of what the SUG of other schools are doing towards the defense of their students’ interests.