The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has threatened to shut down Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi State, if the institution’s management fails to reverse the reported increase in school fees.

The association, in a press release dated Sunday, October 18, 2026, described the reported tuition increment as insensitive, unjustifiable and unacceptable, citing the economic difficulties confronting Nigerian students.

The statement was signed by the NANS President, Dist. Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, GCNS, who warned that the increase could frustrate the academic aspirations of countless students.

SEE MORE: BREAKING: OAUSTECH Student Akinteye Babatunde Elected New NANS National President

“To be clear, education cannot be commercialised. Students cannot be made to pay for the financial challenges confronting our universities,” the statement read.

NANS acknowledged that universities require adequate funding but argued that their managements, particularly vice-chancellors, should explore innovative revenue-generating opportunities rather than impose additional financial burdens on students.

The association maintained that the Federal Government was investing heavily in education to keep students in school and ensure that access to education was not determined by their financial background or status.

NANS Gives University Management Conditions

The student body warned the vice-chancellor and the entire university management against policies capable of pushing students out of school.

It said the national leadership would not stand by while Nigerian students faced additional financial pressure that could threaten their academic futures.

“Going forward, we wish to make it clear to the Vice-Chancellor and the entire University Management that the National Leadership of NANS will not stand by while Nigerian students are subjected to policies capable of pushing them out of school,” the statement said.

NANS subsequently demanded an immediate reversal of the reported tuition increase and called on the university to restore fees to the affordable and reasonable levels that existed before the increment.

The association warned that failure to meet its demand would lead to a mobilisation of its national leadership to the institution.

“To this end, we call on the management of Alex Ekwueme Federal University to immediately reverse the reported tuition increment and return the fees to the affordable and reasonable level that existed before the increment. Otherwise, we will mobilise the National Secretariat of NANS to Alex Ekwueme Federal University and shut down the school until the fee is reversed,” the statement added.

NANS Reaffirms Commitment to Students

The association reiterated its commitment to defending the interests, welfare and aspirations of Nigerian students.

It pledged to continue speaking firmly against policies that place unnecessary and unbearable financial burdens on students.

NANS maintained that students should not be made to bear the financial challenges confronting universities and called on the management of AE-FUNAI to reverse the reported increase.

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has handed over land titles to displaced residents of nine communities in Birnin Yero, Igabi Local Government Area, to enable them to rebuild their homes and regain shelter.

The Kaduna State Ministry of Information and Culture disclosed the development on Sunday, October 18, 2026, describing the exercise as an intervention aimed at helping displaced residents rebuild their homes.

According to the ministry, each beneficiary is being allocated a plot of land to support resettlement and provide shelter for affected residents.

SEE ALSO: Kaduna Moves to Clear 5-Year Promotion Backlog for 24,000 Teachers

“ He is officially handing over land titles, giving each person a plot of land to rebuild their homes and regain shelter,” the ministry’s announcement stated.

The ministry also noted that Governor Sani had continued to support displaced communities across Kaduna State since assuming office.

The latest exercise focuses on nine communities in Igabi Local Government Area, with the allocation of land intended to help affected residents rebuild their homes and regain stability.

The development comes amid previous reports concerning land disputes and displacement affecting communities in Kaduna State.

In September 2026, reports indicated that the Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS) had resolved more than 5,000 land disputes and restored over 150 property titles.

The agency also reported that alternative plots had been provided to some communities affected by previous demolitions.

The Presidency has rejected Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s claim that the Federal Government is withholding ₦250 billion in Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) dividends for each state, describing the allegation as false and inconsistent with the company’s historical dividend payments.

The rebuttal was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy.

Makinde had alleged that the Federal Government would not release the funds until after the 2027 general elections, despite states having identified development projects for which the money was expected.

ALSO READ: “Makinde Never Owed Salary Despite FAAC Changes” — APM Chieftain Adelore

The governor made the claim on Friday at the 2027 Budget Stakeholders’ Consultative Engagement held at Olola Ogunlana Hall, International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.

“Each state was supposed to get ₦250 billion. We had already identified projects that would expand Oyo State’s economy. But they have now said the money will not be paid until after the election. Is the election more important than the people of Nigeria?” Makinde said.

However, the Presidency disputed the governor’s figures, arguing that the amount he cited would require an exceptionally large dividend payment from NLNG.

“Makinde’s latest claim that the Federal Government is withholding the NLNG dividend windfall is false and should be disregarded,” Onanuga stated.

According to the presidential aide, paying ₦250 billion to each of Nigeria’s 36 states would amount to ₦9 trillion, excluding the Federal Government, the Federal Capital Territory and the 774 local government councils.

He explained that under the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) revenue-sharing formula, states receive 26.72 per cent of distributable Federation Account revenue.

Onanuga said NLNG would have to pay more than ₦33.68 trillion, equivalent to approximately $25 billion, into the Federation Account in a single declaration for the states’ share alone to reach ₦9 trillion.

“NLNG has never paid $25 billion in dividends to the Federation Account in a single payout,” he said.

The Presidency also stated that NLNG had paid approximately $21.5 billion in dividends to the Federation over the past 25 years, with less than $3 billion realised since Tinubu assumed office.

Onanuga argued that these figures contradicted the allegation that a single dividend payment exceeding the company’s total historical distribution to the Federation was being withheld.

“Therefore, any claim that a single payout exceeds the company’s entire lifetime distribution to the Federation—and is being withheld—defies basic logic and economic reality,” he stated.

The presidential aide further criticised Makinde’s public statements, accusing the governor of making misleading claims since embarking on his presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 elections.

“We expect Governor Makinde to be more measured in his public conduct and utterances,” Onanuga said.

He also recalled Makinde’s previous description of the substantial financial allocations from the Federation Account to states, including Oyo, as “voodoo.”

While acknowledging that Makinde was free under Nigerian law to pursue his presidential ambition, Onanuga urged him to avoid what the Presidency described as false claims and disinformation.

“Under Nigerian law, Governor Makinde is free to pursue his presidential ambition. He should desist from making falsehoods and disinformation the hallmarks of his campaign,” he stated.

The Presidency urged Nigerians to disregard the governor’s allegation, arguing that it could mislead citizens and create unnecessary hostility towards the Federal Government.

“We urge the public to disregard these unfounded claims, which serve only to mislead citizens and stoke needless disaffection against the Federal authorities,” Onanuga added.