UNIZIK SUG Directs Students to Suspend Payment of N159,500 Development Levy

The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, has directed students to suspend payment of the newly introduced N159,500 Development Levy for the 2025/2026 academic session pending further communication.

The directive was contained in an official memo issued on Tuesday, October 7, 2026, and signed by the SUG President, Giant Comr. Nnake Wiston Chukwueloka, and Secretary General, Giant Comr. Nicholas-Umeh Ann Chiamaka.

According to the memo, the directive followed ongoing discussions and negotiations between the Students’ Union Government and the university management over the new school fee schedule and hostel accommodation.

“In view of the ongoing negotiations, students are hereby advised to hold off on paying the new fee schedule until further official communication is issued by the Students’ Union Government,” the memo stated.

The SUG also clarified that students who have successfully paid for hostel accommodation will be allowed to access their allocated bed spaces, irrespective of whether they have completed payment of their school fees.

“Following discussions and negotiations with the University Management, students who have successfully paid for their hostel accommodation may access their allocated bed spaces, regardless of whether they have completed payment of school fees,” the union said.

The students were further urged to remain calm, patient and attentive to official updates from the SUG.

On the development levy, the union explained that discussions surrounding the fee did not begin under the current SUG administration. According to the memo, the matter originated during the previous administration, which briefed the current leadership on the understanding reached during the transition.

Evidence from the university’s students’ payment portal also indicates the existence of the levy. A screenshot of the portal shows “Development Levy 2026-2027 Full Payment” listed at N159,500, with an option available for part payment.

The introduction of the levy has generated concerns among some students, particularly over the amount involved. Students who spoke on condition of anonymity described the figure as a significant increase compared with previous sessions, especially amid prevailing economic difficulties.

As of the time of filing this report, the university management had yet to issue an official statement explaining the breakdown or justification for the new fee schedule.