The management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, has extended undergraduate students’ resumption date for the 2022/2023 academic session indefinitely.
The resumption for the session was earlier planned to commence on August 7, but it was postponed at a time when students of the university and their parents are in fear over insinuated plans to increase the tuition fees of the institution.
Last year, ATBU increased undergraduate school fees by N12,000, a situation that compelled students to pay N45,000 for the 2021/2022 academic year.
Fatima Inuwa Abdullahi, Director Acamdic of the University said the resumption date extension affects both fresh and returning students.
She said a new date would be communicated to the students when the management finalised its decision.
“The university management wishes to inform both fresh and returning students that earlier approved 7th August 2023 as the date of resumption of undergraduate students and commencement of 2022/2023 academic session has been postponed.
“However, a new date will be communicated soon,” she stated.
Speaking to our reporter, the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit of the university, Zailani Bappa denied insinuations making the rounds that it is planning to hike tuition fees ahead of resumption for the 2022/2023 academic session.
He said although the management of the university may review the current school fees paid by students, he assured that it will not be arbitrarily beyond the reach of most students of ATBU who are indigent.
Bappa said the university management is not unaware of the current economic hardship, hence it will be considerate and moderate in reviewing the school fees.
“The increment becomes inevitable to enable the university to provide a befitting learning atmosphere and meet the daily demands of the students.
“Tuition fee is free because if you compare with private universities where tuition fee is collected, students pay nothing between N500,000 and above but it is not the same thing with public universities.
“In our own peculiarity at ATBU, we have about 20,000 students spread across three campuses and a better part of them are accommodated. There are staff who take care of their hostel facilities. The salaries and cost of the items involved in keeping students’ hostels tidy are being paid by the university.
“Support from the federal government is not coming forthwith anymore. Whatever the university generated is being remitted through the Treasury Single Account,” Bappa explained.
He said it is the university that provides other learning tools including practical chemicals, transport services and administrative costs.
Zailani said the university is indebted due to a paucity of funds.
“JED billed ATBU N1,000,000 in electricity consumption for the two most active campuses of the university. Cumulatively, the university pays N12,000,000 to JED from its meagre resources,” he said.
