After several days of negotiation, the students and
management of Benue State University, Makurdi
have reached a compromise on issue of
conditional charges. The University had, a month
ago, introduced new high conditional charges
which increased the school fees by over 400%.
Below are the various areas affected which have
been reviewd.
Acceptance Fee: Previously N25,000 for
undergraduates, and N30,000 for postgraduates;
Now N10,000 (Payable once).
Development Levy: Previously N25,000 for other
courses, and N50,000 for College of Health
Sciences, Law & Management Sciences; Now
N15,000 for other courses, and N20,000 for
College of Health Sciences, Law &
Management Sciences (Payable once).
Accreditation (New): Previously N15,000 for other
courses, and N30,000 for College of Health Sci,
Law & Management Sciences; Now N10,000 for
other courses, and N20,000 for College of Health
Sci, Law & Management Sciences (Payable once).
Utility Services (New): Previously N10,000; Now
N5,000 (Payable per academic session).
Laboratory/practical/Sanitary/consumables (New)
: Previously N20,000; Now N7,000 (Payable per
academic
session).
Certificates: Previously N10,000 for Sub-degree &
degree, and N15,000 for postgraduates; Now
N4,000 for Sub- degree & degree, and N5,000 for
postgraduates (Payable once).
Transcripts: Previously Local – N10,000;
International – From N20,000; Now Local –
N5,000; International – From N20,000; Inter
faculty transfer: Previously N5,000; Now
N3,000 Inter university transfer: Previously
N50,000; Now N10,000 Fees for result verification
remained unchanged N5,000, however that for
Post-UTME was increased from N3,000 to N4,000.
The President of the Students’ Union, Comrade
Martins Orjime expressed satisfaction with the
outcome of the negotiation. “What we were crying
out was that the charges were outrageous. We
were not calling for a total removal but a reduction
and as it is now, we have come to terms with
the management and Chairman of Governing
Council on these charges. “It may not be
favourable to everybody but at least we have made
sure that we are in equilibrium. Not everybody will
be satisfied with it but I believe it’s better than
what we had” He said.
He added that the University will announce the
new figures in due course, after which normal
activities will resume on campus. When asked
what becomes of those who had already paid
acceptance fees at the old higher rates, Comrade
Orjime said, ” the money will be transferred as
school fees so thatthe student can balance up or it
will be refunded.”
This calls for celebration at least, this is bearable
against the previous fees. Please share to help
other students get the information as soon as
possible.
