In a statement released on July 20 by the National Secretary General, Oladimeji Uthman, NANS characterized the practice as extortion, highlighting that many students are not willfully late but are hindered by prevailing economic conditions.
The association specifically pointed out issues surrounding the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), noting that students often lack timely access to loans because the disbursement process does not align with institutional deadlines. This misalignment forces students to seek alternative funding sources, compounding their financial burdens. NANS stated that penalizing students for situations beyond their control is neither fair nor practical, and such penalties exacerbate their financial challenges.
NANS also emphasized that education should not be commercialized to a degree where students face punishment for factors outside their control. They noted that many institutions already enforce a “No Payment, No Examination” policy, which they view as a sufficient measure to ensure compliance without imposing additional penalty charges. The association argues that adding such fees represents a form of double punishment that cannot be justified.
Moreover, NANS criticized these penalties as detrimental to broader government efforts aimed at stabilizing the economy and reducing the financial strain on citizens. They called on all tertiary institutions in Nigeria to revise and eliminate policies that impose punitive charges for late school fee payments, urging a shift towards more student-friendly solutions that ensure educational access while maintaining necessary administrative accountability.
In their statement, NANS also encouraged affected students to report incidents of exploitative charges through appropriate channels, assuring them that the organization would address the concerns with the institutions involved and relevant authorities to safeguard the rights and welfare of the student body. Additionally, NANS issued a warning to all tertiary institutions, indicating that they would take necessary actions against any place where students are subjected to unreasonable fees passed off as administrative penalties.
