Reopen course registration portal for 48 hours, NANS begs UNILAG

National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed to the management of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to reopen its school fees payment and course registration portal for 48 hours to enable affected students complete their registration before the commencement of examinations.

The students’ body expressed concern over the closure of the portal on June 21, despite the university’s examinations being scheduled to begin on August 10.

NANS President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, who made the appeal in a statement on Saturday, described the decision as unfortunate, arguing that it came at a time when many students and their families were struggling with the country’s prevailing economic challenges.

ALSO READ: Oriire: ACF, opposition ask Tinubu to deploy same strategy to resolve other abduction cases

According to him, many students who were making genuine efforts to raise their school fees had been shut out of the registration process, thereby putting their academic future at risk.

He noted that while universities have the authority to determine timelines for registration and portal closure, such powers should be exercised with compassion and consideration for students facing financial difficulties.

According to the association, the Federal Government’s introduction of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) underscores its commitment to expanding access to education, and institutions should complement such efforts by adopting policies that accommodate students affected by economic realities.

The student body therefore appealed to the university management to reopen the payment and course registration portal for at least 48 hours to allow affected students a final opportunity to regularise their registration ahead of the examinations.

“Justice, however sound in principle, ought never to be devoid of mercy,” the statement read, urging the university to act with empathy and prevent deserving students from losing an academic session due to circumstances beyond their control.

NANS reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the interests of Nigerian students, stressing that it would continue to advocate policies that ensure no student is denied access to education because of financial hardship.