By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Considerable number of students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, may drop out or defer their studies, following the recent imposition of penalties by the University Management on late payment of school fees henceforth.
This follows a directive contained in an internal memo from the office of the Acting Registrar of the University, Mr. Victor I. Modebelu, dated June 18, 2025, and circulated to members of the University community, including key administrative offices and the Students’ Union Government.
According to the memo, students of the University have been urged to pay their school fees for the 2024/2025 academic session on or before July 1, 2025, to avoid penalties.
The University Management, in the memo, declared that failure by any student to meet the July 1 deadline will attract a penalty fee, which will increase progressively based on the number of weeks delayed.
Specifically, it stated that students who default in the first week after the deadline will pay an additional ₦20,000, those in the second week will pay ₦30,000, and those in the third week will pay ₦40,000, warning that further delays will incur additional incremental penalties as the weeks go by.
While the school Management did not state whether late payments will eventually lead to forfeiture of studentship or result in being barred from examinations, it urged all students to settle their school fees on time to avoid these avoidable charges and administrative setbacks.
It was further gathered that the directive comes as part of the institution’s effort to instill financial discipline and ensure timely processing of student-related services; even as it also appears to be in line with the University’s commitment to streamline academic activities and maintain efficient fiscal operations.
However, the reactions that have trailed the directive suggest that some students, especially those financially incapable to meet up with the deadline and subsequent ones, may defer their studies or be forced to drop out of school, given the accommodation of such penalties.
In their separate remarks, some students who spoke with this reporter under the condition of anonymity expressed concerns over the economic hardship in the country and the implications of the penalty imposition on “financially down” students who are sponsoring their studies; even as they appealed to the University Management to consider extending the deadline or relaxing the penalty rates.
Some others, however, supported the move, saying it would help reduce last-minute congestion at payment portals and enhance proper planning for both students and Management.
Efforts by this reporter, Izunna Okafor, to reach the new Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Caroline Umobi, proved abortive, as she was yet to respond to her call as at the time of this publication.
