Students of the College of Nursing Sciences at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital in Anambra State staged a protest on Tuesday over a sharp increase in tuition fees, raising concerns about the affordability of healthcare education in Nigeria.
Prime 9ja Online reports that the students marched through parts of the state carrying placards and chanting slogans, condemning what they described as an excessive rise in school charges. According to the students, tuition for the programme was increased from about ₦90,000 to ₦580,000 per academic session.
They said the adjustment represents an increase of more than 500 per cent and warned that the overall cost of training could exceed ₦1 million annually when accommodation, feeding and other expenses are included.
Participants in the demonstration also criticised the manner in which the decision was announced. They claimed the management introduced the increase without prior consultation with students or their representatives.
The protesters argued that the decision could force many students to abandon their studies and discourage others from pursuing careers in nursing at a time when the country faces shortages of trained health workers.
According to reporting by Arise News, the management of the institution defended the increase, stating that the adjustment was necessary to improve facilities and strengthen academic standards within the college.
The school authorities also indicated they were willing to meet with student leaders to discuss the concerns raised during the protest and review the situation.