UNN Students Reject 100% Fee Hike, Insist on Maximum 25% Increase

Students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) have rejected the management’s proposal to increase school fees by 100 percent, insisting that any adjustment should not exceed 25 percent.

In a memo dated 28th December 2025, the Executive Council of the Students Union Government (SUG) addressed the student community on the matter. Signed by SUG President Comrade Chinedu Ozoagu, the memo, titled “School Fees Increment Alert for the 2025/26 Academic Session,” revealed that the university management had held an emergency meeting with the union leadership to discuss student welfare issues.

“During the meeting, the management proposed a 100% increase in school fees to take effect from the 2025/26 academic session citing funding challenges,” the memo stated. However, after consultations with students across UNN and UNEC campuses, the SUG rejected the 100% hike, proposing a maximum of 25% increase considering the current economic realities.

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The students also opposed any increase in hostel fees without commensurate improvements in living conditions. The SUG urged management to suspend hostel fee hikes until the conditions of the facilities improve, assuring students that dialogue with management continues to safeguard their interests.

Investigations by THE WHISTLER show that school fees at UNN vary by faculty, ranging from N90,000 to N200,000, while hostel fees range from N25,000 to N100,000. Some students highlighted the poor state of hostels. Paulinus Ossai said, “Most of the hostels are not habitable. Management wants to generate IGR from exploiting students. Hostels funded by Tetfund and rehabilitated attract N35,000, while old ones are N25,000 and in bad shape.”

Another student, Sabinus Ugwu, added, “The management should focus on improving the overall condition of the university. For almost four months now, there is no running water on campus, and power supply is epileptic. Imposing more fees is unfair.”

A university management source, speaking anonymously, defended the proposed hike, stating, “UNN is among the cheapest federal universities in Nigeria. With universities moving towards financial autonomy, it is no longer sustainable to provide top-quality education at heavily subsidised rates.”

UNN Students Reject 100% Fee Hike, Insist on Maximum 25% Increase

ASUU, FG Reach New Agreement, Approve 40% Salary Increase from 2026

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government of Nigeria have concluded negotiations on the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU–FG agreement, with the new deal scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026.

ASUU disclosed this in a statement published on its official Facebook page on Wednesday, announcing that the agreement was finalised on December 23, 2025, after prolonged negotiations. According to the union, the agreement will be reviewed every three years.

The renegotiated agreement places strong emphasis on improved welfare for university lecturers and enhanced funding for public universities. Key provisions include a 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff and significantly improved pension benefits.

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Under the new terms, professors will earn pensions equivalent to their annual salary upon retirement at the age of 70, a move ASUU described as a major boost to post-service welfare in the university system.

The agreement also introduces a new funding framework for public universities, with dedicated allocations for research, libraries, laboratories, equipment, and staff development. A National Research Council is to be established to drive research and innovation, with funding pegged at a minimum of one per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Other provisions include strengthened university autonomy and academic freedom, the election of academic leaders such as deans and provosts restricted to professors, and assurances that no academic staff will be victimised for participating in past industrial actions.

ASUU urged the Federal Government to ensure the prompt and faithful implementation of the agreement, while also calling for the extension of similar negotiations to other university-based unions in order to promote lasting stability in Nigeria’s university system.

ASUU, FG Reach New Agreement, Approve 40% Salary Increase from 2026

NOUN Student Dies After Collapsing During Examination at Victoria Island Centre

A student of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Michael Coker, has reportedly died after collapsing during an examination at the institution’s Victoria Island study centre in Lagos.

The tragic incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 16, while students were preparing to sit for an examination. Witnesses said Coker suddenly collapsed inside the examination hall and allegedly lay unattended for several minutes while gasping for breath.

A fellow student, identified as Bukola, alleged that a female senior lecturer and invigilator prevented students from assisting the distressed student.

“It happened shortly after we entered the hall. Coker was standing when he suddenly collapsed. Another student held him and laid him on the floor,” Bukola said.

She claimed that the invigilator from a nearby hall ordered students to return to their seats instead of attending to the collapsed student.

“She kept chasing everyone away to continue writing the exam, even though he was on the floor gasping. When told a student had collapsed, she said in Yoruba, ‘E fi sílẹ̀, ó máa dìde’ (Leave him; he will get up),” Bukola alleged.

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According to her, Coker reportedly remained on the floor for over 15 minutes, during which students expressed concern and attempted to understand his condition, but were repeatedly stopped.

“It took several minutes before help came. Even moving him to a chair took another five minutes. By then, his breathing was very bad,” she said.

Bukola added that a nurse later arrived, administered first aid, and Coker was taken downstairs via an elevator. Students were reportedly instructed to continue with their examination and were only informed after the exam that Coker had died.

Another student and class representative, Prince Preskit, confirmed that Coker collapsed while attempting to log into the examination system.

“I think the invigilator initially wanted people to give him space. When it became obvious that it was serious, he was taken downstairs and rushed to the hospital,” Preskit said.

He disclosed that Coker was taken to Bonny Camp Hospital, but later died while being moved to another medical facility.

However, Bonny Camp Hospital denied claims that it rejected the student.

“The patient was not rejected,” a hospital official told Punch. “He was referred to another hospital where oxygen would be available.”

The incident has since sparked outrage among students, with many calling for a thorough investigation into the handling of the emergency during the examination.

NOUN Student Dies After Collapsing During Examination at Victoria Island Centre