Nigerian university Students have been asked to pay what the institution described as ‘pandemic prevention fee’ on their return from COVID-19 lockdown break.
Many institutions across the globe, earlier this year, were closed so as to curb the spread of COVID-19 (a virus which has infected over 49 million people worldwide).
For the completion of the first semester 2019/2020 academic session, students of the Abia State University have been asked to pay a ‘pandemic prevention fee.’
In the notice signed by the school’s Registrar Acho Elendu, students were asked to pay a ‘pandemic prevention fee’ of N15,000 ($39) and also register all their course in order to be eligible to participate in examinations.
The notice read in part;
The First Semester, 2019/2020 Examinations will commence on Monday, 16th November, 2020. 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.
All payments should be made through the online payment system of the University, before commencement of the Examinations.
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. All COV1D-19 Protocols will be strictly observed.