Unizik Imposes Stiff Financial Penalties on Late Tuition Payments, Triggers Student Backlash Across Social Media

 

Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has rolled out a controversial new policy regarding tuition fee payments that has left students and parents reeling. Effective July 1, 2025, students of the institution will face increasingly steep financial penalties for failing to meet the tuition payment deadline. The decision, communicated through a circular signed by the registrar, Mr. Victor I. Modebelu, has ignited widespread protest across various social media platforms.

The circular, which was officially released on June 18, detailed a structured fine system for late payments. Students who miss the deadline by one week will face an additional charge of N20,000. The penalty increases to N30,000 if payment is delayed by two weeks, and N40,000 if the delay stretches to three weeks. More troubling for students, the university has warned that delays extending beyond three weeks will attract what it describes as an “incremental increase” in fees, though no specific figures were provided for penalties beyond the third week.

Reactions to the policy have been swift and intense. Many students argue that the university’s approach lacks empathy, particularly in a country where families continue to struggle with economic hardship. Social media has become a battleground for debates, with hashtags such as #UnizikFines and #SayNoToLateFeeExtortion trending among students and alumni.

One of the affected students, Chinyere Eze, a 300-level student in the Faculty of Social Sciences, described the policy as a “blunt weapon against the vulnerable.” She explained that her parents, both civil servants, have consistently struggled to meet fee deadlines due to delayed salary payments. “This is not just unfair; it’s an attack on those who are already struggling. The university is supposed to be a place of understanding, not punishment,” she lamented.

A significant number of students share this sentiment, arguing that the university failed to consider the financial realities of the average Nigerian household. The decision to introduce escalating fines, they say, will only compound the challenges students already face in funding their education. Critics have also pointed out the vagueness surrounding the “incremental increase” clause, which many fear gives the administration too much leeway to impose arbitrary charges.

University authorities, on the other hand, have defended the policy as necessary for the smooth administration of academic activities. A senior official, who requested anonymity, told reporters that repeated delays in fee payments had severely affected the university’s ability to plan and execute essential services. “We have a large student population, and we rely heavily on timely payments to fund facilities, pay staff, and maintain academic standards. The new policy is simply a means to instill discipline,” the source stated.

That rationale, however, has done little to calm the storm. Several student groups are reportedly planning to formally petition the university’s management to reconsider the timing and structure of the penalties. Some have even hinted at organizing peaceful demonstrations if the institution remains unyielding.

Educational analysts observing the development believe the situation reflects a broader crisis within Nigeria’s tertiary education system. While universities are grappling with dwindling government funding, students are increasingly caught in the middle. “What we’re seeing at Unizik is just a symptom of a much larger problem,” said Dr. Kunle Ajibola, an education policy expert based in Lagos. “Public universities are under pressure to generate internal revenue, and unfortunately, that often comes at the expense of students.”

Some critics have also called for the university to consider alternative solutions, such as allowing payment in installments or offering grace periods for students with verified financial difficulties. Several private universities and foreign institutions, they argue, already operate such systems with relative success.

Parents, too, have begun expressing their concerns. Mr. Emeka Nwosu, a father of two Unizik undergraduates, said he was shocked by the policy. “This is not how to support families trying their best to educate their children. There should be a humane approach to fee enforcement, not a financial ambush.”

As the July 1 deadline looms, students are racing against time to avoid the hefty penalties. Many are calling for solidarity across student bodies nationwide to challenge what they describe as a dangerous precedent.

Whether the university will review or suspend the policy remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the issue has ignited a passionate debate about the affordability of education, the responsibilities of institutions, and the rights of students in Nigeria’s evolving academic landscape.