Benue University suspends fee hike after students’ protest

The Vice-Chancellor of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), Isaac Itodo, has suspended a proposed increase in undergraduate fees for the 2026/2027 academic session after students complained.

Mr Itodo announced the decision in a statement published on his official Facebook page, saying he had listened to students’ concerns and consulted relevant university regulatory bodies before deciding to halt the increase.

“Undergraduate school fees for the 2026/2027 academic session will remain unchanged,” he said.

The announcement comes as the university resumed for the new academic session on Monday, amid concerns over revised charges for some services and the approved academic calendar.

In a separate advisory, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Raymond Wuana, said the university had reviewed charges for online screening and admission acceptance, health services, hostel accommodation and postgraduate programmes.

He stressed that the review did not include undergraduate school fees, which he said had not been increased.

“The review concerns only specified services and postgraduate charges,” Mr Wuana said in the advisory addressed to students.

He explained that the university was facing rising operational costs, increasing student enrolment and a limited internally generated revenue base, making it necessary to review some charges to sustain essential services and infrastructure.

Mr Wuana urged students with concerns to use established university channels to communicate with management.

Itodo warns against confrontational protests

Mr Itodo acknowledged the financial pressures facing students and their parents but expressed disappointment over some students’ methods of protest, including the circulation of flyers bearing the inscription “ITODO MUST GO.”

“My dear children, go where? My responsibilities take me across the South Core, Middle Core and North Core of this campus to ensure that our University continues to develop and that you receive quality education,” he said.

He added that students had the right to question decisions and express their concerns but should do so responsibly.

“Criticism is welcome; violence, intimidation and actions that threaten our University’s peace and reputation are not,” he said, urging students not to allow themselves to be used to disrupt academic activities.

Mr Wuana also cautioned against insults, confrontational conduct and inflammatory statements directed at university management, urging student representatives to present their concerns formally and offer practical recommendations.

University defends academic calendar

The university also defended its approved academic calendar, which provides for resumption on 19 October and an eight-week mid-semester break beginning in mid-December 2026 and extending until after the 2027 general elections.

Mr Wuana said the calendar had been approved by the University Senate and was designed to address transport, security and movement concerns while ensuring the orderly conduct of academic activities.

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Mr Itodo said the decision to resume promptly was intended to recover academic time lost to strikes and other delays and ensure the session progressed sufficiently before the 2027 elections.

Both officials urged students to resume, complete their registration and attend lectures, while encouraging dialogue between students and management.

Mr Itodo said the university remained committed to improving education and managing its resources prudently, adding that undergraduate school fees would remain unchanged for the session.