The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has attacked the recent increase in undergraduate registration charges at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, warning that the development will deepen hardship for working-class Nigerian families. The new fees for the 2026/2027 academic session range from N143,000 to N298,000, depending on the programme and level of study, compared to roughly N62,000 to N84,000 charged in the previous session.
NDC Criticises ABU Zaria's Tuition Increase
In a statement published on its verified X (formerly Twitter) page on Thursday, October 8, titled "ABU Tuition Increase: President Tinubu Sinking More Families Into Poverty," the NDC linked the higher fees to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The party argued that parents who depend on federal universities like ABU to educate their children will find the new charges difficult to meet.
The NDC said the take-home pay of many working-class Nigerians "cannot even take them home, let alone cover the new fee increase." The party also expressed sympathy with ABU students, saying they were bearing the consequences of what it described as the "failed policies" of the Tinubu administration.
ABU Fee Increase Details
ABU's Governing Council approved the revised undergraduate registration charges at its 218th Special Meeting on September 29, following a Senate resolution and consultations with stakeholders. The new fees range from N143,000 to N298,000, up from roughly N62,000 to N84,000 in the previous session.
ABU Zaria is a federal government research university. The fee increase varies across faculties, programmes, and student categories, according to the university's announcement.
NDC Points to Peter Obi as Alternative
The party used the statement to renew its push for the 2027 elections, urging Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and reject the current administration at the polls. Furthermore, the NDC pledged that education would be a priority under a government led by its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who was ratified as the party's candidate on May 29, 2026, following his resignation from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on May 2, 2026.
"We assure Nigerian youths that the administration of His Excellency, Peter Obi, under a Nigeria Democratic Congress-led government, will build a prosperous economy, fund our universities, and create an enabling business environment for young people to thrive," the statement read. The party signed off with a message directed at students affected by the fee hike: "Just hold on for us, our dear ABU students."
