NANS Bikers over AAU Ekpoma Management’s Breach of Agreement to Hike School Fees
- Advises State Govt, AAU management to return the fees back to the status quo as earlier agreed
Indications has emerged that the management of the Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma (AAU) has negated an agreement reached over the school issue with the Special Intervention Team (SIT) of Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma and National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and unilaterally decided to hike the school fees with a caveat from the management that ‘anyone that cannot pay the new fees should drop out.’
On September 1, while the student’s protest continued peacefully with high expectation of dialogue to stem the impasse, the Acting Dean of Students, AAU, Engr Dr. E. Ufuah issued an internal memorandum dated September 1 2023 titled ‘Dissolution of the student union Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma’.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Joint Campus Council, Edo State Axis, issued a statement dated 2nd September, 2023 jointly signed by Comr. Ehis Daniel Omuokhonlen NANS JCC Chairman, Edo State Axis and Comr. Eguagie Iredia, NANS JCC Secretary General, Edo State Axis and made available to Gentechnews, which noted that the sudden increase of the school fees of the old/returning students of AAU Ekpoma is a breach of the agreement by the school authority and management of Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma as regards the initial agreement made with the Special Intervention Team (SIT)of Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma and National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) during dialogue and negotiation of the fees of new and old students.
The NANS statement read partly: “During the June/July protestation in the university against the increment in school fees, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) had days of deliberations and dialogue with the Special Intervention Team (SIT) of Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma and resolutions and agreement were made during the course of this dialogue. It was stated clearly that the adjustments in tuition fees were only for in-coming students of the University and not old students.
“Even the management of the University had earlier promised would continue to pay the old school fees they have been paying since they gained admission into the University, so, in effect these tuition fees do not affect those who are already “students of Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma.
“From information reaching us is that an additional amount has been added to the school fees of the old students. This is totally unacceptable and negates the agreement that was made with the Special Intervention Team (SIT) of Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma and management of Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma during the negotiation of the school fees for newly admitted students.
“We strongly advise the School Authorities and management of Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma to return the fees back to the status quo as earlier agreed.”
According to NANS “the current hardship in the country should even give room for a reduction in the school fees and not an increment, so as to cushion the effects of the high cost of living of the students and parents. Rather than an increment, the Edo State Government and management of Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma should emulate steps taken by other State Government, take for example Taraba State University where we saw a 50% reduction in the school fees of the state owned varsity.
“This development became very necessary because we must ensure Nigeria students have access to Education, without unbearable burdens. Aluta Continua, Victoria Ascerta!”
However, the management of Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma is yet to issue any statement concerning the hike in school fees impasse and the sudden dissolution of the SUG of AAU Ekpoma.
