In a move aimed at addressing the ongoing controversy surrounding tuition fees, the management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) in Bauchi, Nigeria, has unveiled a new fee structure for both returning and new students.
This development comes as a response to the widespread public outcry and dissatisfaction over the previous fee arrangement.
In a press statement released by the information directorate of the university, it was stated that the new fee template would supersede all prior information and serve as the definitive guideline for tuition fees.
The revised fee structure distinguishes between fresh MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) students and returning students pursuing other courses, excluding MBBS.
The highest fee will be borne by new MBBS students, who are expected to pay a sum of N150,000.
In contrast, returning students of all other courses will pay a lower fee of N69,700.
Foreign students, both new and returning, are also affected by the new fee structure.
Fresh foreign students will be required to pay N230,000, while returning foreign students will see a fee of N183,000.
Zailani Bappa, the Director of the Directorate of Information and Public Relations at ATBU, formally announced this development, emphasising the university’s commitment to addressing the concerns and criticisms raised regarding tuition fees.
According to the director, the revised fee structure seeks to strike a balance between maintaining the financial sustainability of the university and ensuring that higher education remains accessible to a diverse student body.
This move is expected to be met with mixed reactions from students and their families, as the debate over tuition fees in Nigerian universities continues to be a subject of public discourse.
ATBU’s decision to review its tuition fees is an example of the ongoing efforts by educational institutions in Nigeria to adapt to the evolving needs and expectations of their students while managing the financial constraints of running a university.
As students and stakeholders digest the implications of this announcement, the debate over tuition fees in Nigerian higher education is likely to intensify.
