Anambra nursing college SUG distances self from tuition fee protest

The Students’ Union Government of the College of Nursing Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, has distanced itself from a protest staged by some students over an increase in tuition fees. Some students of the institution had on Tuesday protested at the school gate in Nnewi, carrying placards and lamenting the increase in their tuition from N95,000 to N580,000. However, the SUG leadership, in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday by its President, Chisom Chukwuelue, said the union was not involved in the protest. Chukwuelue explained that the union had already engaged the management of the institution over the fee hike and was awaiting the outcome of a proposed roundtable discussion when it learnt of the protest. According to the statement, the union had formally communicated the concerns and apprehensions of students to the management of NAUTH to seek clarification and possible reconsideration of aspects of the newly introduced fee structure. The statement read, “We took the responsible steps to engage the appropriate authorities of the institution. During this engagement, the Management acknowledged the concerns presented by the Students’ Union and assured the leadership that the matter had been taken seriously. We were informed that a panel would be constituted by the Hospital Management and the Board of the College to carefully review the issues raised regarding the fee adjustment and make appropriate recommendations. “In the interest of responsible leadership, institutional respect, and constructive dialogue, the Students’ Union Government accepted the assurances given by the management and resolved to allow the constituted panel and the appropriate administrative processes, the opportunity to review the matter.” Chukwuelue said some students, overwhelmed by the emotional and financial implications of the development, staged the protest before the outcome of the review process could be communicated. She added that the union remained committed to protecting the welfare and academic stability of students while maintaining a constructive relationship with the management. “Leadership, in moments such as this, requires both empathy for the concerns of students and the wisdom to pursue solutions through lawful and institutional processes,” she added. The union appealed to students to remain calm and patient as the panel set up by the hospital management and the board of the college reviews the matter, assuring that it would continue to monitor developments and engage the authorities on behalf of the student body.