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The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned what it described as the growing practice by tertiary institutions across the country of imposing penalty fees on students who fail to meet school fees payment deadlines.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its Secretary General, Comrade Oladimeji Uthman, NANS described the policy as “an act of extortion” against students and parents already grappling with the current economic hardship.
The association, under the leadership of National President, Comrade Babatunde Akinteye, said many students were not deliberately defaulting but were constrained by economic realities that make it difficult for parents and guardians to raise funds within stipulated timelines.
NANS also cited delays in the disbursement of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a major factor, noting that many students who have been approved for loans are still forced to source alternative funds because NELFUND pays institutions directly and the process does not always align with school academic calendars.
“Subjecting such students to penalty fees for delays beyond their control is both unfair and unrealistic. Imposing additional financial burdens through penalty charges only worsens their plight and creates unnecessary barriers to accessing education,” statement reads in part.
The students’ body argued that education should not be commercialised to the extent that students are punished for circumstances beyond their control, and called on institutions to demonstrate “understanding, compassion, and flexibility” at a time Nigerians are adjusting to ongoing economic reforms.
NANS further stated that most tertiary institutions already operate a “No Payment, No Examination” policy, which it described as sufficient to ensure compliance.
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“The introduction of additional penalty charges amounts to double punishment for students and cannot be justified under any guise. Institutions must desist from policies that appear exploitative and insensitive to the realities confronting students across the country,” Uthman said.
Consequently, NANS called on the management of all tertiary institutions to immediately review and discontinue policies imposing punitive charges on late payment of school fees.
It urged schools to adopt student-friendly alternatives that guarantee access to education while maintaining administrative order.
The association also directed students affected by such policies to report to NANS leadership through appropriate channels, assuring that it would engage the affected institutions and interface with relevant authorities to protect students’ rights and welfare.
“We wish to put all tertiary institutions on notice that NANS will not hesitate to take appropriate actions where students are subjected to exploitative charges disguised as administrative penalties. The welfare of Nigerian students remains our utmost priority,” the statement added.
NANS said it remains committed to engaging institutional managements and stakeholders to ensure fair, humane and student-centered policies prevail on campuses, and urged institutions to align their policies with present economic realities and government efforts to make education more accessible.
