The Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron has doubled the tuition fees payable by its cadets, SHIPS & PORTS can authoritatively report.
A document obtained by our correspondent shows that the management of the institution increased the fees by 100% with effect from the 2014/2015 session.
Before the tuition was increased, ND 1 and HND 1 cadets paid N100,702 while ND 2 and HND 2 paid N61, 340 but with the increase, ND 1 and HND 1 students will pay N200,704 while ND 2 and HND 2 cadets will N121,980.
Some cadets of the foremost maritime academy who commented on the increase expressed dismay over the tuition fees hike.
One of them said, “Some cadets who cannot afford the money have withdrawn from school. We all know this is a Federal Government College and we expected the tuition fees not to be on the high side.”
A Nautical Science cadet said, “The facilities are poor. The hostels are overcrowded; we have a very unhygienic kitchen.”
The cadet, who is in his second year said the school should have improved on the basic amenities on the academy’s campus before increasing the tuition fees.
“The fees are not commensurate with the facilities yet they want our parents to pay, from where will they get the money to pay?” he asked.
The cadets said they were not warned before the tuition fees were doubled.
“We lack training ships where we can acquire sea time, yet they went ahead to increase our tuition. This is more selfish than real,” another cadet told SHIPS & PORTS DAILY.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the academy, Sidi Mkpandiok said, “The issue of the increase in tuition fees was aptly addressed by the Rector last year in an appropriate forum. I promise to react to it next week.”
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