The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has criticised a reported statement attributed to the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, concerning tuition fees in Nigerian universities.
In a press release dated September 23, 2026, NANS President Dist. Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, GCNS, said the student body was concerned by the reported suggestion that universities seeking financial stability should charge students at least ₦1 million in tuition.
The statement represents NANS' position on the reported comment and calls for universities to explore other approaches to revenue generation rather than placing additional financial pressure on students.
NANS Objects to Reported ₦1 Million Tuition Position
According to the student association, the reported proposal would place a significant financial burden on Nigerian students.
The NANS president described the position attributed to Olatunji-Bello as insensitive and said it was inconsistent with the association's view that access to university education should remain available to students from different financial backgrounds.
NANS also questioned the affordability of such a tuition level for students and raised concerns about the broader implications of increasing the financial responsibilities placed on families seeking university education.
Student Body Calls for Other Sources of University Revenue
While acknowledging that universities require adequate funding, NANS argued that institutional managements should consider alternative ways of generating additional revenue.
The association specifically called on university administrators, including vice-chancellors, to develop innovative approaches to improve institutional finances without transferring the burden directly to students.
Its position is that financial challenges facing universities should not automatically result in higher tuition charges for students.
NANS Raises NELFUND Concerns
The press release also referred to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and argued that the existence of a student loan system should not become a reason for institutions to increase tuition fees.
NANS said university managements should continue to seek other funding options instead of relying on students' access to education financing to justify higher charges.
The association maintained that students could still face financial pressure even where education financing mechanisms are available.
NANS Calls on Olatunji-Bello to Retract Statement
The student body called on Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello to withdraw the reported statement.
NANS President Akinteye Babatunde Afeez also expressed the association's view that the reported position was inappropriate for someone who had previously occupied a public university leadership position.
The release further urged university managements not to adopt what NANS described as a commercial approach to university education.
NANS' Position on Access to Education
A central argument in the statement is that the cost of university education should not become an additional obstacle for students from financially constrained backgrounds.
NANS said it would continue to represent Nigerian students and advocate on issues concerning their welfare and educational interests.
The association also stated that it intends to support initiatives aimed at addressing concerns affecting students in Nigeria and those studying outside the country.
What the Press Release Says About University Funding
NANS' position can be summarised around three main points:
- The association opposes the reported proposal for universities to charge at least ₦1 million in tuition.
- It wants university managements to consider alternative revenue-generation strategies.
- It argues that access to NELFUND should not be used as a basis for increasing tuition charges.
These positions are contained in the NANS press release dated September 23, 2026.
It is important to note that the information supplied for this report contains NANS' response to the reported statement, but does not include the original statement from Prof. Olatunji-Bello or a separate response from her. The reported ₦1 million position is therefore presented here as characterised by NANS, rather than as an independently verified quotation.
NANS Leadership
The statement was signed by Dist. Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, GCNS, in his capacity as President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
The association said it would continue to speak on matters affecting Nigerian students and promote initiatives focused on student welfare.
Conclusion
The NANS statement has brought renewed attention to the debate over university funding and the financial responsibilities placed on students. While the association is calling for alternative approaches to institutional revenue generation, the specific reported comment that triggered the response is not included in the material supplied for this report.
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