The Elegant Nurses Forum (ENF) has condemned the continued increase in tuition and other charges at the Ogun State College of Nursing Sciences, describing the trend as the commercialisation of nursing education and an unfair burden on students and their families.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide, the forum expressed concern over what it described as repeated fee hikes at a time when many Nigerians are struggling with rising living costs.
According to the group, final-year students have been directed to pay about ₦200,000 for the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) qualifying examinations. It is alleged that the amount does not cover accommodation or feeding during the examination period.
The forum also claimed that students are expected to pay an additional licensing fee of about ₦120,000, although the charge has yet to be officially announced. It noted that the immediate past graduating set reportedly paid about ₦110,000 for the same purpose.
ENF further stated that available information indicates the NMCN charges approximately ₦12,000 per examination paper, with students sitting for three papers, bringing the council’s examination fee to about ₦36,000 per student.
“Yet, students are being asked to pay far beyond this amount without a clear and transparent explanation of the additional charges. Students, parents and the general public deserve accountability regarding how these fees are determined and utilised,” the statement read.
The forum said the growing financial demands were becoming unbearable for many families, particularly civil servants, petty traders and other low-income earners already grappling with inflation, rising transportation costs and expensive food prices.
According to ENF, many families now rely on loans to keep their children in school.
One of the most troubling accounts received by the organisation, it said, came from a distressed parent who allegedly broke down in tears and expressed suicidal thoughts over the financial burden of paying school fees and other charges.
“This is a serious warning that should not be ignored. No parent should be pushed into despair because they are trying to educate their child,” the statement added.
The forum contrasted the situation with practices in many developed countries, where nursing education is either free or heavily subsidised because governments recognise the importance of investing in healthcare.
It lamented that while Nigerian students bear increasing educational costs, many newly qualified nurses still face prolonged unemployment after graduation.
“In Ogun State, automatic employment of health workers became a thing of the past decades ago. Parents are expected to spend enormous amounts on education without any assurance that their children will secure employment after qualifying,” the forum stated.
Describing nursing education as too important to be commercialised, ENF urged the Ogun State Government to prioritise affordability and access to training for future healthcare professionals.
The organisation called for an immediate downward review of fees charged by the Ogun State College of Nursing Sciences, full transparency and a public breakdown of all student charges, increased government subsidies for nursing education, policies to make nursing education more affordable for low- and middle-income families, and a long-term commitment to prioritise students’ welfare over revenue generation.
“The Ogun State Government must remember that investing in Nursing education is an investment in the health and future of the people. Policies that make education unaffordable will only worsen the shortage of healthcare professionals and deepen poverty among families,” the statement said.
ENF appealed to Ogun State Governor and other relevant authorities to act with “compassion, responsibility and urgency” by reviewing what it described as excessive charges and making nursing education affordable once again.
