Tensions have escalated at the Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN) following the announcement of a ₦750,000 fee for graduating students, sparking a heated dispute between parents, students, and the university management. The development has raised questions about the affordability of private tertiary education and the ethics of tying academic progression to ceremonial payments.
The controversy began when a memorandum, allegedly circulated on November 18, 2025, informed graduating students that payment of ₦750,000 was required to complete the “Intent to Graduate and Clearance Process.” The letter indicated that students who failed to pay the fee would not have their results processed, names submitted for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilisation, or be cleared for graduation.
Parents and guardians quickly reacted, describing the fee as “exploitative, unnecessary, and insensitive.” Many argued that the sum is excessive for what they view as a ceremonial occasion and pointed out that families have already invested heavily in tuition fees at the private institution. Concerns were also raised about Nigeria’s challenging economic climate, which makes such additional costs particularly burdensome.
Reports indicate that the ₦750,000 fee was intended to cover a range of items, including convocation costs, regalia, accommodation and travel for invited guests, refreshments, photography and souvenirs, administrative charges, and contingency funds. Critics, however, have argued that the university has failed to provide a transparent breakdown or justification for such a high levy.
Graduating students, estimated at around 250, joined the chorus of opposition. They filed a petition urging the university to reconsider the charge, suggesting alternatives such as a substantial reduction, optional payment for students not attending the ceremony, or complete waiver of the fee. The students emphasized that linking essential academic outcomes—including result clearance, NYSC mobilisation, and certificate issuance—to payment of a ceremonial fee is unjust and undermines trust between the university and its stakeholders.
The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti‑Corruption Commission (PCACC) intervened following the petitions. The commission ordered the suspension of the ₦750,000 fee pending investigation, directing that no certificates or NYSC mobilisation should be withheld from students who do not pay the levy. This intervention reflects the growing concern about excessive or coercive fees in private higher education.
MAAUN’s management, through its spokesperson, denied that the memorandum originated from the university, describing the letter as a fabrication circulated on social media to damage the institution’s reputation. At the same time, a faction claiming to represent the MAAUN Parents Association defended the university, asserting that convocation fees are standard in private institutions and accusing critics of mischief and blackmail.
As the investigation by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti‑Corruption Commission continues, stakeholders await clarity on whether MAAUN will revise its fee structure, provide detailed justifications, or make payment optional. The outcome could set a precedent for private universities across Nigeria, influencing how graduation fees are structured in the future.
