The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has called on the management of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, in Niger State to reverse its recent hike in tuition fees, describing the increase as excessive and burdensome for students.
In a statement signed by NAPS President, Adeniji Boluwaji Temitope, the association highlighted complaints received from the institution’s Student Union President regarding the fee hike. “The Senate Leadership of NAPS has been inundated with letters and complaints from the Senator (Student Union President) of Federal Polytechnic Bida concerning the school management’s decision to increase tuition fees,” the statement noted.
Efforts by NAPS to engage with the school management have reportedly been unsuccessful. “The Senate Leadership has made several attempts to reach out to the management of Federal Polytechnic Bida, but all efforts have yielded no result,” the statement added.
In response, NAPS has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the institution to reverse the fee increase and initiate discussions with student leaders. “We are giving the management of Federal Polytechnic Bida seven working days to reduce the fees and hold a proper meeting with the Student Union Government and NAPS Senate Leadership,” the association stated.
NAPS also accused the management of consistently increasing fees every academic session, placing an undue financial burden on students. As a form of protest, the association urged students to withhold payment of the new fees until a resolution is reached.
“The Senate Leadership is advising students of Federal Polytechnic Bida to comply with the directive of the Student Union by refusing to pay the increased fees until the management agrees to reduce them and engage in dialogue with student leaders,” the statement said.
NAPS further warned that it would take drastic action if the management fails to comply within the stipulated time. “Should the management refuse to act within the seven working days, we will mobilize massively to shut down the institution until the fees are reduced,” the association threatened.
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