Following the protest staged on Tuesday by students of the College of Nursing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Joseph Ugboaja, has suspended the planned tuition fee increase.
Prof. Ugboaja announced the suspension on Wednesday after a meeting with the college’s governing board and the Student Union.
He said a committee comprising relevant stakeholders from the college has been set up to review the fee structure and recommend a more appropriate adjustment.
Pending the committee’s decision, he said students will continue to pay the existing fees.
Prof. Ugboaja also expressed sympathy with the students, noting that the suspension was granted out of compassion for their concerns. However, he explained that the initial fee increase was intended to help upgrade the institution to higher standards.
Some students of the institution told journalists they are not surprised about the empathy, love and father figure shown by the CMD, insisting that it is the not the first time he is demonstrating leadership.
A student, Chizaram Abel said: “When the review comes out, we hope it will come with a lot of considerations because we know the CMD is always there for us.
“He will ensure it is moderate enough for students to afford, and also enough for the management to give us the best standard in health education that we need.”
