Reported by: Puis Althea | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The National Association of Nigerian Students has issued a strong condemnation of the growing practice by tertiary institutions of imposing fines on students for late payment of tuition fees, describing the policy as an act of extortion against students and parents already grappling with the country's harsh economic realities. In a statement issued on Monday, July 20, 2026, by the National Secretary General of the association, Comrade Oladimeji Uthman, NANS said the trend is insensitive to the economic challenges facing students and parents nationwide. The student body, under the leadership of its National President, Comrade Babatunde Akinteye, stressed that many students are not deliberately defaulting but are constrained by economic realities that make it difficult for parents and guardians to raise funds within stipulated timelines.
"As the apex body representing the interests and welfare of Nigerian students both at home and in diaspora, we strongly condemn this practice and describe it as an act of extortion against innocent students and their parents who are already grappling with the harsh realities of the current economic situation," the statement read. NANS noted that many students are unable to meet deadlines due to prevailing economic challenges, and that the introduction of additional penalty charges amounts to double punishment for students and cannot be justified under any guise. "Institutions must desist from policies that appear exploitative and insensitive to the realities confronting students across the country," Uthman said.
The association also raised concerns over beneficiaries of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, who it said are often forced to seek alternative funding because loan disbursement does not align with institutional calendars. "Since NELFUND operates independently of individual institutional academic calendars, the processing and disbursement of approved loans may not always coincide with school fee deadlines," NANS said. "Subjecting such students to penalty fees for delays beyond their control is both unfair and unrealistic. Imposing additional financial burdens through penalty charges only worsens their plight and creates unnecessary barriers to accessing education."
The student body argued that education should not be commercialised to the extent that students are punished for circumstances beyond their control. It pointed out that most institutions already operate a "No Payment, No Examination" policy, which it described as sufficient for ensuring compliance. "The introduction of additional penalty charges amounts to double punishment for students and cannot be justified under any guise. Institutions must desist from policies that appear exploitative and insensitive to the realities confronting students across the country," Uthman said.
Consequently, NANS called on the management of all tertiary institutions across the federation to immediately review and discontinue policies imposing punitive charges on late payment of school fees. It urged institutions to embrace student-friendly alternatives that guarantee access to education while maintaining administrative order. The association also directed affected students to report such cases to its leadership through appropriate channels, assuring that it would engage the affected institutions and relevant authorities to protect students' rights and welfare.
"We wish to put all tertiary institutions on notice that NANS will not hesitate to take appropriate actions where students are subjected to exploitative charges disguised as administrative penalties. The welfare of Nigerian students remains our utmost priority," the statement added. NANS said it remains committed to engaging institutional managements and stakeholders to ensure fair, humane and student-centered policies prevail on campuses, and urged institutions to align their policies with present economic realities and government efforts to make education more accessible.
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