Nursing students protest 544% tuition fee increase at NAUTH College, Nnewi
Students at the College of Nursing Sciences affiliated with Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) in Nnewi, Anambra State, have staged a peaceful demonstration against a sharp rise in tuition fees.
The protest took place on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, with participants marching through the college premises and nearby areas carrying placards. One widely shared placard read: “From ₦90,000 to ₦580,000. Very bad.” Protesters chanted slogans including “We no go gree, reduce the school fees, we no go gree,” signalling strong opposition to the change.
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An internal memo dated 23 January 2026, issued by hospital management and the college board, announced the fee adjustment. The document cited the need for institutional upgrades, facility improvements, and efforts to elevate the college’s standing. The new annual fee structure totals ₦580,000, incorporating tuition, maintenance, library, and related charges up from the previous ₦90,000 baseline for many programmes, including Basic Nursing and Midwifery.
Students and observers have described the increase equivalent to approximately 544% as burdensome amid Nigeria’s persistent economic pressures, high inflation, and widespread cost-of-living challenges. Additional concerns raised during the demonstration included compulsory hostel accommodation costs (reportedly around ₦150,000–₦200,000 per student in shared rooms) and overall living expenses, which some estimate push the total annual burden beyond ₦1 million for certain students.
The college management has confirmed ongoing dialogue with the Students’ Union Government (SUG) to address the grievances. In earlier statements, the SUG indicated that talks were underway and urged calm, while distancing itself from initial reports of unrest. No immediate reversal of the fee structure has been announced.
The demonstration highlights broader issues facing nursing education in Nigeria, where demand for trained healthcare professionals remains high amid workforce shortages. Observers note that steep fee increases risk reducing access to training programmes at a time when the country faces a critical need to expand its nursing workforce to meet healthcare delivery goals.
Fellow Nurses Africa will continue to monitor developments and provide updates on any resolution reached through negotiations.
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Kehinde Oluwatosin is one of the many editors here at Fellow Nurses Africa and fellownurses.com.
He is a registered nurse with a Master of Science degree in healthcare leadership from the University of Hull, United Kingdom. Kehinde is passionate about advancing the nursing profession across Africa. As Co-Founder of Fellow Nurses Africa, he plays a key role in shaping editorial direction, ensuring our content educates, informs, and empowers nurses continent-wide.
With expertise in leadership, patient flow, and healthcare operations, Kehinde brings valuable insights to nursing news, career development, and policy discussions. He is committed to amplifying the voice of African nurses and driving positive change in the profession.
