Southern Delta University Under Fire Over Alleged Denial Of Exams To Students Owing School Fees

A public affairs commentator, Basil Onyia, has criticised the management of Southern Delta University, Ozoro, over reports that students who had not fully paid their school fees were prevented from sitting for their examinations.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Onyia described the development as unfortunate, especially in view of the prevailing economic hardship facing many Nigerian families.

He also criticised the institution’s student leadership, as well as government aides on student affairs, accusing them of failing to adequately represent the interests of students.

“The students are very disappointed in you people,” he wrote.

Onyia recalled a similar incident at Delta State Polytechnic, Oghara, in 2013, urging student leaders across Delta State to remember the consequences of denying students access to examinations over unpaid fees.

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According to him, some affected students had already paid 50 per cent of their tuition but were still allegedly barred from writing the examinations.

He lamented that despite the difficult economic situation in the country, authorities were insisting on full payment before students could participate in the examinations.

Questioning the role of student leaders and government officials handling student affairs, Onyia asked what practical efforts were being made to support students affected by the policy.

“My question: what are you people doing to help the students when they are not allowed to write exams, including people who have paid 50 per cent of their fees?” he queried.

As of the time of filing this report, Southern Delta University had not issued an official response to the allegations, and the claims remain independently unverified.