The Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has ordered an immediate reversal of the increase in tuition fees for Abia State University, Uturu, which was increased by over 350 per cent.
The governor gave the order to the management of Abia State University led by Prof. Maxwell Ogbulu.
According to the viral invoices given to some new ABUS students, undergraduates in some departments had their fees jump from N122,000 Naira to N500,000.
After the outrageous hike had gone viral across social media, Ikpeazu has now directed that the management of ABSU immediately cancel the increase in school fees announced on Monday.
Ikpeazu, through his Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka, said the increase which is over 350 per cent is unacceptable to the State Government, especially given the current economic realities in the country.
“The governor, while acknowledging that it is becoming increasingly challenging for the University to play its role under the current fiscal regime, added that the University Management must understand clearly that it must ensure that children of the poor in the State are given the opportunity to access tertiary education,” Ememanka said.
The state governor further directed the university management to engage with all relevant stakeholders in the university community and have robust discussions before contemplating any hike in school fees.
He assured the people that the State Government will continue to support the institution with subventions and equally assured all students, parents and guardians of the University that their interests will consistently be protected by the State Government.
