The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the University of Abuja has called for the immediate suspension of the newly introduced N1,000 “SMS Administrative Fee” being charged by the Centre for Student Empowerment and Mentoring (CSEM).
In a statement obtained by The News Chronicle on Tuesday, the SUG described the fee as unauthorised, exploitative, and introduced without consulting students. The union said no student should pay the charge.
“It is unacceptable that students are being compelled to make another payment under the guise of administrative or empowerment purposes,” the statement read.
The Union urged the university management to suspend the fee and develop a more transparent and voluntary funding model for CSEM through partnerships, grants, or institutional support instead of taxing students.
The SUG also warned that any attempt to enforce the payment would face strong resistance, calling on the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mathew Adamu, to intervene immediately and stop the charge.
“The Students’ Union will not stand by while students are subjected to unnecessary financial demands. No student should pay this N1,000 fee,” the statement concluded
