Student union leaders at Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU) have accepted the school’s position that it did not raise tuition but implemented a state-approved unified fee structure, according to a statement from the university.
Leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), its Joint Campus Committee (JCC) in Kogi State, the Students’ Union Government (SUG) and the National Association of Kogi State Students (NAKOSS) reached that position after meeting university management in the council chamber on Thursday, the statement said.
The meeting followed student concerns over how the fee structure was being applied. Management gave the student representatives documents and answered their questions, the university said in a statement issued by Uredo Omale, the institution’s director of public affairs.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman said the university acted under a unified fee structure approved by the Kogi State government for the state’s three state-owned universities. The structure took effect with the 2024/2025 academic session and affected the university’s existing fee schedule, he said. He added that the implementation was also prompted by an audit query about how it had previously been applied.
Prof. Usman said the new structure does not apply to students currently in 400 and 500 levels.
He urged students, parents and other stakeholders to compare charges for the same departments and programs at the three universities. If any extra difference is found, he said, management would reverse the charge and issue refunds with an apology.
NANS JCC Kogi State Chairman Adams O. Abdulrazaq described the meeting as a constructive step toward resolving the concerns through dialogue. He thanked the vice-chancellor for providing documents and a detailed explanation, which he said gave student bodies a better understanding of the situation.
Outgoing SUG President Rilwan Abubakar Obaje said that, based on the documents and explanations presented, the current management has not increased school fees. He praised the state government’s support for student welfare and called for continued engagement on easing students’ financial burden. He urged students to stay calm and rely on verified information.
Obaje also asked management to allow a students’ union election. Usman promised to let the SUG election go ahead without further delay. He asked student leaders to guarantee security during the exercise to avoid a repeat of what the statement called an “unfortunate incident” at a June 11 “FYB” celebration. The statement did not describe the incident.
NAKOSS President at PAAU Gabriel Samuel Onorouyiza said his association was ready to work with management, NANS JCC and the SUG to support student welfare and keep the campus peaceful.
Prof. Usman urged students and parents to rely on official university channels and to verify reports before sharing them on social media. He also encouraged students to use NELFUND, the federal student loan fund, and commended Kogi Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for his commitment to education in the state.
