By NaijaonpointOnline
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Central Zone has condemned the sudden increase in tuition and other official fees at Niger Delta University (NDU), Wilberforce Island, Amassoma, Bayelsa State, describing the development as a serious concern for students and their parents.
The Council, led by Dr. Enebraye Patrick Orusengha, said the fee increase came at a time when families and students were already struggling with prevailing economic hardship.
In a statement signed by the Information Officer of the IYC Central Zone, Comrade Boro Francis, the council called on the management of NDU and other relevant authorities to urgently review the new fee structure and engage stakeholders on a more affordable framework.
The council stressed that education should remain accessible and affordable, particularly in institutions serving communities within the Niger Delta region.
To ascertain the facts surrounding the reported increase and determine its impact on students, the IYC Central Zone said it had assigned its Student Representative, Comrade Fidelis Agbogidi, to investigate the matter.
According to the council, Agbogidi has been directed to engage the NDU Student Union Government (SUG) and the Dean of Student Affairs to obtain details of the new fees and assess their implications for students.
He is also expected to submit a comprehensive report to the leadership of the IYC Central Zone for further consideration and action.
While expressing its preference for dialogue and peaceful engagement, the council warned that it would not rule out peaceful protests and other legitimate means of engagement if the issue was not satisfactorily resolved.
The IYC Central Zone, however, appealed to students to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding while discussions and fact-finding efforts continue.
The development comes amid growing concerns over the affordability of tertiary education, with students and parents increasingly calling for fee structures that reflect the economic realities confronting Nigerian households.