The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of Benue State University has successfully resisted the proposed N50,000 increment in user charges initially introduced by the university management.

DAILY POST gathered that the move, which sparked widespread concern among students, had led to the delay of the academic calendar originally scheduled to resume on March 10, 2025.

The Union, backed by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), stood its ground, describing the hike as unjust, excessive and inconsiderate given the prevailing economic hardship faced by many students.

After weeks of negotiation and protests, management agreed to reduce the proposed fee to N15,000, but only after sustained pressure and intervention from the student body and its allies.

However, the Union made it clear that the acceptance of this new figure would be contingent on the fulfilment of a set of critical conditions.

These include immediate renovation of hostels, restoration of water supply, installation of solar panels in large lecture halls, and financial autonomy for the Union, among others.

While commending the efforts of student leaders and stakeholders who stood firm throughout the struggle, the Union President, Comr. Oyi Samuel Alechenu, urged all students to remain united and avoid making any payments until the stipulated conditions are met and the correct fees are reflected on the student portal.

Alechenu said in a statement on Satuday, “It is no longer news that the Students’ Union Government has, since the 6th of March, 2025, been actively engaging the University Management over the proposed increment of user charges by a staggering ₦50,000.

“For over two weeks, management held firmly to this proposal, which led to an unfortunate delay in the resumption of the academic calendar initially slated for the 10th of March, 2025.

“To us in the Union, such a hike was not only unjustifiable but outrightly inconsiderate, especially in light of the current economic realities faced by the average student of our great institution. While management cited institutional survival and the need to improve services as justification, we held the view that such an increment was simply excessive and unfair.

“In the face of this, the Union stood its ground, insisting that no increment was acceptable. Yet, the management remained adamant, only reducing their proposed figure to ₦35,000. Without any mutual agreement, this amount was uploaded on the student portal, a move the Union found completely unacceptable.

“In response, the Union urged all students not to comply with the newly uploaded fee. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), both at the state level and the national body, swiftly joined the struggle, lending their support and applying additional pressure on management.

“Following this intervention and sustained efforts by the Union, Management agreed to reduce the increment to ₦15,000, subject to a series of conditions. As a Union, we strongly believe we can not lose both ways. Therefore, the acceptance of this new figure is contingent upon the immediate fulfilment of critical demands by management, including:
▪︎ Immediate commencement of hostel renovations;
▪︎ Restoration and reticulation of water supply in hostels;
▪︎ Installation of solar panels and sound systems in large halls;
▪︎ Increase of Union dues to ₦1,500 and granting of financial autonomy to the Union;
▪︎ Implementation of an intra-campus transportation scheme managed by the Union, among others.
“We want every student to know that your pain is our pain. That is why we have remained resolute, determined to prevent any unjust financial burden.

“However, the battle is not yet over. We therefore urge all students to refrain from making any payments on the portal until the stipulated conditions are met and the correct fee is reflected.”

Benue: BSU students’ union halts fee hike, demands immediate action from management