The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) views, with grave concern, the sudden closure of the school fees payment and course registration portal at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), which was shut on the 21st of June, despite examinations not being scheduled to commence until the 10th of August—almost one and a half months later.

This decision, coming at a time when the country is grappling with unprecedented economic hardship—wherein the President of the Federation has put in place the NELFUND initiative to make education accessible to all—is a direct attack on this golden initiative.

We are at a phase of economic reforms wherein parents and students across the nation are already stretched. It is only patriotic and humane to expect that institutions show leniency by keeping their portals open long enough to accommodate those still making genuine efforts to raise their fees.

Many students who were actively working to raise their fees have now been shut out entirely, placing their academic pursuits at serious risk through no fault of their own.

While we do not dispute the prerogative of the university management to determine the administration of its own portal, we appeal, with all sense of responsibility and deference, that this right be exercised with clemency and consideration.

We request that the UNILAG management reopen the portal for payment and registration for at least forty-eight (48) hours to give affected students one last opportunity to complete their registration ahead of the examinations. However sound justice may be in principle, it ought never to be devoid of mercy.

We therefore call on the Management of UNILAG to urgently reconsider this policy in light of the prevailing economic realities and to reopen the portal without further delay. We kindly urge the Management of UNILAG to act on this matter in the most humane way possible so that the concerns of these students do not fall through the cracks.

NANS remains committed to ensuring that no Nigerian student is denied access to education. We will continue to stand for, advance, and represent the collective will of Nigerian students.

Signed:

Dist. Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, GCNS

President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)