Should University Of Nigeria, Nsukka, Demand 7th Year School Fees For A 6-Year MBBS Course?
By Sir Don Ubani; KSC, JP
Saturday (Eke) 21-02-2026.
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, is one of Nigeria’s most renowned Citadels of Learning.
Established by Eastern Nigerian Regional Government in 1955 while Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe was the Premier of the Regional Government, as the first full-fledged indigenous autonomous University in Nigeria, as University of Ibadan was just an overseas’ campus of University of London, UNN, as it is popularly called, is a multi-campus University. It operates four distinct campuses;
(1) University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN
(2) University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, UNEC,
(3) University Teaching Hospital, Ituku Ozalla, UNTH, and
(4) University of Nigeria, Aba Campus, UNAC.
The College of Medicine of the University is domiciled in the University’s Teaching Hospital at Ituku Ozalla. Unfortunately, hostel accommodation at Ituku Ozalla is grossly inadequate. This inadequacy has ended up compelling most of the Medical Students to be commuting from Enugu to Ituku Ozalla, quite a distance, every day, with its attendant risk.
Averagely-speaking, a student should spend between five and six years to obtain a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, MBBS, degree. This means that students are required to pay School fees for, at most, six years.
Last Wednesday, 18th February, 2026, students of the University’s College of Medicine were, in strange unusual way, seen on the streets of Enugu, the Coal City, sadly and agonisingly but responsibly marching towards the Authorities of the University in protest against an ‘alien and exploitative’ policy of asking them to pay School fees for seven years for a course which duration is not more than six years.
Equity Global Reporters Ltd considers this demand quite insensitive, inconsiderate and, even, atrocious, to say the least, at a very difficult time when parents are managing, with much stress, albeit almost to no avail, to make ends meet.
The Governing Council of the University, chaired by Engr Olubunmi Kayode Ojo, inclusive of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, is urged to rise up to this awkward and strange development, positively address it squarely, and, thereby, help ‘Restore The Dignity Of Man’.
Sir Don Ubani is a former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Abia State, and Publisher of Equity Global Reporters Ltd.
