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.