Nursing students protest fee hike at Nnewi Teaching Hospital College

Students of the College of Nursing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital in Nnewi staged a protest on Tuesday over what they described as a steep increase in tuition fees, sparking tension within the campus community.

The demonstration, which attracted significant attention on social media, saw the nursing students marching in solidarity around the institution while chanting protest songs and carrying placards to express their dissatisfaction with the new fee structure.

In a video widely shared online, the protesters could be heard chanting, “We no go gree, reduce the school fees, we no go gree,” as they demanded an immediate review of the recently announced charges.

The College of Nursing is affiliated with Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, one of the major tertiary healthcare institutions in Anambra State, responsible for training a significant number of healthcare professionals serving in hospitals across the region.

Students involved in the protest said the sudden increase in tuition fees could make nursing education inaccessible to many aspiring healthcare professionals, particularly those from low- and middle-income families.

Some of the demonstrators argued that the hike was introduced without adequate consultation with students and parents, adding that the financial burden could force some trainees to suspend or abandon their studies.

One protesting student, who spoke anonymously, said the rising cost of education in health training institutions was becoming a major barrier for young Nigerians hoping to pursue careers in nursing.

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“Many of us are struggling already with school expenses, accommodation and materials for training. Increasing the fees suddenly will push many students out of the programme,” the student said.

As of the time the protest unfolded, the management of the college had yet to issue an official statement explaining the reasons behind the new tuition structure or responding to the demands raised by the students.

Attempts by journalists to obtain clarification from the institution’s authorities were unsuccessful.

Education and healthcare experts have warned that persistent fee increases in nursing schools could worsen Nigeria’s healthcare workforce shortage if fewer students are able to complete training.

A health policy analyst, Dr. Tunde Adebayo, noted that nursing education is already under pressure due to rising costs and the migration of trained professionals abroad.

“When tuition becomes too expensive, it discourages young people from entering the profession. At a time when Nigeria needs more healthcare workers, policies should focus on expanding access to training rather than creating financial barriers,” he said.

Stakeholders are now urging the school management and relevant authorities to engage with the students and review the policy to prevent further disruption of academic activities.