N1m Tuition: NANS Retracts Statement Against Former LASU VC Olatunji-Bello

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has retracted its earlier statement accusing the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, Prof. Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, of advocating a minimum tuition fee of N1 million for Nigerian university students.

NANS, in a statement signed by its President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, on Friday, said further clarification and fact-finding established that Olatunji-Bello’s position had been misconstrued.

The students’ body had earlier criticised what it understood to be a call for Nigerian students to pay not less than N1 million in tuition, describing the position as an attempt to commercialise education and impose additional financial burdens on students.

However, NANS said Olatunji-Bello’s position was not a call to commercialise education or an advocacy for public universities to impose a minimum tuition fee of N1 million on students.

According to the association, her position was that quality university education requires adequate funding and that the cost of providing such education is significantly higher than what public universities currently charge.

NANS said Olatunji-Bello also emphasised the need for universities to pursue financial self-sustainability through innovation and diversified revenue streams.

“Consequently, we wish to unequivocally retract our earlier press statement titled ‘#1 Million Minimum Tuition Fees: Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello Goofed.’

“We withdraw the contents and conclusions contained therein and regret the misrepresentation of the position of Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello arising from our earlier publication,” the statement said.

The association said its earlier position was based on an interpretation which, following further clarification and fact-finding, did not fully capture the context of Olatunji-Bello’s position.

NANS, however, reaffirmed its commitment to accessible, affordable and quality education for Nigerian students, while acknowledging the need for adequate funding, sustainability, innovation and alternative revenue-generation mechanisms in universities.

It encouraged university managements to explore innovative and sustainable alternatives for funding university education without imposing additional financial burdens on students.

The association also called on media organisations to verify information before publishing reports, particularly on sensitive national issues such as education.

“As the apex student representative body in Nigeria, we remain committed to constructive dialogue and intellectual engagement in advocating for the advancement and collective interests of Nigerian students,” NANS added.