UNN fee hike: Governing Council, SUG reach consensus on charges

From Felix Ikem, Nsukka

The management of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has reached a consensus with the institution’s Student Union Government (SUG) to reduce the proposed 100 per cent sundry charges by the Council for the 2025/2026 academic session to 40 per cent.

This comes after weeks of dialogue and negotiation with the student union bodies of all the campuses of the institution.

UNN students, parents and some stakeholders had kicked against the 100 per cent hike in school fees, threatening protest and demanding an immediate change in the fees.

However, in a press statement on Saturday, Inya Agha Egwu, Acting Public Relations Officer, UNN revealed that the management of the university negotiated with members of the students’ body and eventually reached a consensus and agreed that the institution’s sundry charges should be increased by 60 per cent as against a 100 per cent increment proposed by the Council for the 2025/2026 academic session.

According to the PRO, the new agreement stipulates that both new and returning students will now pay an increased 60 per cent of the existing sundry charges for the 2025/2026 session, which he said represents a 40 per cent reduction from the initial proposed 100 per cent increment.

“The agreement was reached on Friday at a meeting between the University Management, acting on behalf of the Governing Council, and the SUG representatives, including the SUG Presidents of Nsukka and Enugu Campuses, Speakers of the Legislative Arms, and the Senate President of the SUG.

“The resolution is the outcome of weeks of sustained negotiations that commenced in December 2025.

“During the discussions, student representatives explained that they adjusted their earlier position of a 30 per cent increment in recognition of prevailing fees in comparable universities and the urgent need to upgrade infrastructure in the University of Nigeria.

“The University Council, through the management, had earlier shifted its stance from 100 per cent increment to 90 per cent before agreeing to the students’ plea for 60 per cent on Friday.

“Following the council’s conclusion, both parties formally signed an agreement outlining key terms, including provision for payment of the new fees in two instalments across the two semesters to ease the financial burden on parents and guardians, and no increment in students’ accommodation fees for the 2025/2026 academic session.

“At the end of the deliberations, the SUG leadership expressed appreciation to the University Governing Council for its understanding and responsiveness.”