The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, has directed the Abia State University (ABSU) to cancel the N15,000 pandemic prevention fee which the university asked its students to pay before they can write their examinations.
WITHIN NIGERIA recalls how the university had directed the students to make the payment through a memo dated October 21 and signed by the school’s registrar, Acho Elendu.
In the memo, the school’s management said the fee should be paid through the online payment system of the university, before the commencement of the examinations.
“Having fumigated the Hostels and Lecture halls, Students are expected to return from Monday, November 9, 2020. The First Semester, 2019/2020 Examinations will commence on Monday,16 November 2020,” the memo reads in part.
“All returning students are to pay a Pandemic Prevention Fee of Fifteen Thousand (N15,000) Naira only, ensure Registration of their Courses, to be eligible to participate in the Examinations,” the memo reads.
The school management had also said the students must show evidence of payment before they can be allowed into the school premises.
“Please note, that it is for the student’s health and that of others, that it will be necessary to show evidence of payment of the Pandemic Prevention Fee before entry into any of the campuses. Parents, guardians and the public are to note, as appropriate,” the memo reads.
The development has since generated to backslash on the part of the school management.
Meanwhile, it was learnt that Governor Ikpeazu had invited top management officials to a meeting on Thursday and has directed the university to scrap the fee.