NOUN Student Petitions Management Over Compulsory TISHIP; Calls for Voluntary Health Insurance Policy

The letter, authored by V. O. Ubi and dated December 28, 2025, follows a management press release on the matter issued just a day prior.

While acknowledging the government's intention to safeguard student health, the petitioner argues that the current "compulsory" nature of the fee fails to account for the unique demographics of the NOUN student body.

The petitioner noted that many NOUN students are working professionals already covered by employer-based National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) schemes or family packages. Making TISHIP mandatory forces these students to pay twice for the same service.

Accessibility Issues: Ubi claimed that despite paying the TISHIP fee in the first semester, they were unable to access healthcare services due to a lack of clear information regarding service locations and providers.

Institutional Nature: As an "Open and Distance Learning" institution, NOUN serves a predominantly adult and self-sponsored population. The petitioner argued that a "one-size-fits-all" compulsory approach is inconsistent with the university’s flexible philosophy.

"Health insurance is beneficial, but true participation should be based on informed consent and demonstrable value," the letter stated.

As of late December 2025, the NOUN management has yet to issue a formal response to the specific request for an "opt-out" clause. The university continues to maintain that TISHIP is a statutory requirement regulated by the NHIA for all tertiary institutions in Nigeria.