The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has criticized the management of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, Bauchi State, over a new mandatory accommodation fee of N100,000 imposed on students seeking on-campus housing.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, NANS National President, Comrade Lucky Emonefe, described the policy as “unacceptable” and “insensitive,” highlighting the financial strain it could place on students and their families amid challenging economic conditions.
Emonefe noted that, traditionally, only medical and dental students are required to pay for compulsory accommodation in line with course-specific needs. However, he argued that applying a fee of this magnitude to all students is unreasonable and risks excluding students from access to affordable housing.
The statement further emphasized the importance of making education accessible and affordable, warning that such fees only compound the financial pressures on students already facing high living costs.
NANS has called on the university to reconsider its decision, urging it to make on-campus accommodation optional and to set affordable pricing for students who choose to live there.
“It is essential for the university to understand the diverse financial realities faced by its students and to establish supportive policies that aid, rather than obstruct, their academic goals,” the association said.
Reaffirming its commitment to protecting students’ rights, NANS cautioned that it would not hesitate to organize further actions if the university fails to address the issue promptly.
