AEFUNAI FEE HIKE: NANS SENATE PRESIDENT, IBEABUCHI MOSES ONYIA, TO MEET STUDENT LEADERS TODAY AMID DEMANDS FOR TOTAL REVERSAL, & END TO EZE OWO DAN-LED SUG ADMINISTRATION, STUDENTS VOW PROTEST IF DEMANDS ARE UNMET

The President of the Senate of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Dist. Senator Ibeabuchi Moses Onyia, will meet with student leaders of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), today, Wednesday, November 11, amid demands for a total reversal of the 2026/2027 school fee increase and an end to the Comr. Eze Owo Dan-led Students’ Union Government (SUG) administration. In a meeting notice dated November 9, Onyia invited the SUG President and executives, faculty presidents, departmental presidents and other student leaders to the engagement scheduled for 11:00 a.m. at the Old School Auditorium, AE-FUNAI.According to the notice, the meeting is the second stakeholders’ engagement he is holding with the university’s student leaders over the fee controversy. He stated that the first meeting resulted in a reduction in fees following his engagement with the university management. The Senate President said the second meeting would review the current position and chart a collective way forward in the interest of Nigerian students. However, in a response to the invitation, AE-FUNAI students acknowledged the earlier reduction but maintained that their demand remains a complete reversal of the fee increase, removal of additional charges and restoration of the 2025/2026 fee structure.The students also reiterated their demand for an end to the Eze Owo Dan-led SUG administration, accusing the leadership of failing to defend their interests during the ongoing dispute and its response to Management’s November 8 caution advisory concerning protests on campus. In the response addressed to the NANS Senate President, the students disputed Management’s characterisation of those protesting the fee increase as disgruntled elements from neighbouring institutions and former students expelled for cultism and examination malpractice. They maintained that those opposing the increase are bona fide AE-FUNAI students exercising their right to express grievances peacefully.The students further argued that the reduction secured through the earlier NANS engagement had not sufficiently addressed the financial burden imposed by the revised fee schedule. According to the figures presented in their response, regular freshmen fees increased from ₦206,500 in the 2025/2026 session to ₦335,000 in the first 2026/2027 schedule, before being amended to ₦285,000. Returning students’ fees similarly moved from ₦77,300 to ₦156,300 before being amended to ₦121,300.The students said the amended figures still represent increases of ₦78,500 for freshmen and ₦44,000 for returning students compared with the previous session. They also raised concerns over additional charges, including development, security and accreditation fees, as well as the increase in the Parent Forum levy.Beyond the fee dispute, the students called on NANS to address their dissatisfaction with the current SUG leadership, insisting that a new and credible student leadership should be instituted to represent their interests.They warned that if the stakeholders’ engagement fails to produce a satisfactory resolution, they may embark on another officially organised peaceful protest.The meeting comes amid growing tension between sections of the student community and university management following the recent protests against the revised fee structure and the subsequent caution advisory issued by the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs.The outcome of today’s engagement is expected to be significant in determining the next steps in the students’ campaign for a total reversal of the fee increase and their demand for a change in the current SUG leadership.