Abia, Delta universities impose coronavirus levies on students
Universities in Abia and Delta have started asking students new levies towards prevention of novel coronavirus on campus.
Nigerian universities and colleges have started reopening for academic programmes following months of disruptions triggered by the pandemic.
School administrators have started imposing new measures as part of the resumption across the country. On Thursday, indications emerged that some universities have started introducing a new layer of charges allegedly aimed at controlling the spread of coronavirus on campus.
In a copy of the resumption letter dated October 21 seen on Twitter on Thursday, Abia State University said students are expected to pay N15,000 pandemic fee to be able to register and sit for exams that will commence on November 16.
All returning students are to pay the N15,000 charges “to be eligible to participate in the examinations”, the campus-wide memo from registrar Acho Elendu said.
A school official was not available to take follow-up questions about the development from the Gazette Thursday evening.
At Delta State University, students were asked to pay a N4,000 fee that would go towards upgrading the school’s facilities towards coronavirus compliance.
Students have taken to social media to complain about the decision of both universities, which appeared likely amongst the earliest to adopt such fees.
Some students decried how the new charges would place additional financial pressure on their parents, most of whom are still reeling from the economic hardship inflicted by the virus.
Media aides to Okezie Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Okowa did not return calls seeking comments. Both governors have promised residents of their respective states that government would relax multi-level taxation and miscellaneous levies to cushion the impact of coronavirus.
It was not immediately clear whether other schools have introduced or in the process of introducing similar controversial measures across the country.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Politics
2027: Ogun West indigenes endorse Adebutu for Ogun governorship
Mr Adebutu said he was humbled by the display of love from the true indigenes of Yewa land.
Education
Senior civil servants caution against privatising unity schools
Mr Fajobi said the union would reject attempts to cede the 120 federal government colleges to private individuals or groups, including old students’ associations.
Politics
2027: Set aside ego, back Makinde for president, APM guber candidate tells Obi, Atiku
Mr Makinde, the governor of Oyo State, had declared his intention to run for the presidency under the APM.
States
Delta governor donates five operational vehicles to correctional service
The governor urged the state controller of corrections to maintain the vehicles properly and deploy them for official use.
NationWide
IMF projects 3.0% global growth in 2026, 4.1% for Nigeria
The report noted that oil-importing and non-resource-intensive economies would be more adversely affected by higher energy and food prices.
NationWide
Air Peace expands routes with Embraer E175
The disclosure was made in a statement by the airline’s spokesperson, Efe Osifo-Whiskey, on Wednesday in Lagos.





