BY SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
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Management of the University of Nigeria is aware of plots by certain external elements to instigate unrest within the University under the pretext of protesting an alleged increment in sundry charges, a matter that has already been amicably resolved between the University Governing Council and the leadership of the Students’ Union Government (SUG).
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The Governing Council of the University, through the University Management, on Friday, January 16, 2026, approved students’ request for a 60 per cent increment in sundry charges for the 2025/2026 academic session, following extensive consultations and negotiations with representatives of the students body.
.Inya Agha Egwu, Ag. Public Relations Officer of UNN in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday, stated that the decision replaced the earlier 100 per cent increment proposed by the Council and reflects a fair compromise reached in the best interest of students and the University.
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The agreement was the outcome of months of structured engagement that commenced at the 294th meeting of the Governing Council in July 2025, during which a Committee on Sundry, and Accommodation Charges was constituted. In view of prevailing economic realities and the urgent need to upgrade and maintain critical infrastructure in the University, the Committee, at the 297th meeting of Council held in December 2025, recommended a 100 per cent increment.
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Subsequently, the University Management, on behalf of the Council held several consultative meetings with the SUG. At these engagements, the students initially proposed increments of 25 per cent and 30 per cent before eventually requesting Council’s approval of a 60 per cent increment, which was accepted at the January 16, 2026, meeting with Management.
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For instance, in the approved schedule, first-year students in the Faculties of Medicine and the Social Sciences will pay sundry charges of ₦189,240 and ₦173,640 instead of ₦243,900 and ₦225,900, respectively, earlier approved by the Council for the 2025/2026 academic session. Students in other levels in the mentioned faculties are currently paying ₦172,200 and ₦156,200 instead of ₦203,400 and ₦185,400, respectively. Sundry charges vary across faculties and levels of study.
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The schedules are already in the students’ portal and they are already paying the agreed charges.
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Additional terms of the agreement include the option for students to pay the charges in two instalments across the two semesters to ease the financial burden on parents and guardians, as well as a freeze on increment of accommodation fees for the 2025/2026 academic session.
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However, the University Management notes with concern that, despite the transparent process and the peaceful resolution of the matter to the satisfaction of the students, some external individuals, who are clearly dissatisfied with the outcome, are attempting to foment crisis within the University. These merchants of unrest are bent on exploiting the issue for ulterior motives.
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Management hereby warns such individuals to desist from any attempt to disrupt the peace and orderly academic environment of the University. Any person found engaging in acts of violence, intimidation of our students, or destruction of property, within any of the UNN campuses, will be treated as a criminal and dealt with in accordance with the law.
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The University Management also calls on students to remain calm, vigilant, and focused on their academic activities, and to resist being misled or used by unscrupulous elements who seek to benefit from chaos and instability.
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The University of Nigeria is peaceful; our staff and students are dutifully going about their academic and administrative businesses. Troublemakers should stay away from our campuses.
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