Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, Governor of Abia State, has ordered an immediate reversal of the tuition fee hiked by more than 350% at Abia State University, Uturu.
He gave the order to the Abia State University administration, led by Prof. Maxwell Ogbulu.
According to invoices given to some new ABUS students that went viral yesterday, undergraduate fees in some departments increased from N122,000 Naira to N500,000.
After the outrageous hike went viral on social media, Ikpeazu has now directed ABSU management to immediately cancel the school fee increase announced on Monday.
According to Ikpeazu’s Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka, the increase of more than 350% is unacceptable to the State Government, especially given the country’s current economic realities.
“The governor, while acknowledging that it is becoming increasingly challenging for the University to play its role under the current fiscal regime, added that the University Management must understand clearly that it must ensure that children of the poor in the State are given the opportunity to access tertiary education,” Ememanka said.
The state governor further directed the university management to engage with all relevant stakeholders in the university community and have robust discussions before contemplating any hike in school fees.
He assured the people that the State Government will continue to support the institution with subventions and equally assured all students, parents and guardians of the University that their interests will consistently be protected by the State Government.