By Muazu Elazeh

The Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), Kano, has recently been in the news due to controversy regarding a fee of N750,000 imposed on all graduating students. In a memo signed by Dr Hamza Garba, the university warned that failure to pay the fee by November 30, 2025, could result in delayed graduation and mobilisation for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The memo further explained that the payment is an ‘intent to graduate’ fee and that failure to comply may also delay the processing of students’ results. This directive has prompted widespread public debate and legal action.
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Established in 2021 and licensed by the National Universities Commission (NUC), MAAUN prides itself on being a well-equipped institution boasting state-of-the-art facilities, experienced faculty and a flexible learning environment. On its website, the university states that its academic programmes are robust and enriched with real-world experience, career prospects, and multicultural exposure in line with global best practices.

The institution currently offers 22 undergraduate programmes across five faculties: Computing, Health Sciences, Nursing Sciences, Law, and Social and Management Sciences.

To its credit, MAAUN has received some awards and recognitions. The university also ranked second, behind Covenant University, among private universities in the 2026 Alper-Doger Scientific Index (AD Scientific Index), placing 416th globally.

The AD Scientific Index relies on near real-time data to assess universities, research institutions, companies, and hospitals, reflecting the increasing convergence between academia, industry, and scientific research. Despite challenges of funding and infrastructure, the report notes that Nigeria’s private universities, including MAAUN, are gradually strengthening their presence in research-driven education.

Clearly, MAAUN has carved a niche for itself through its emphasis on promoting quality learning and research. This success may partly explain the increase in its student enrolment in recent years.

However, as rich as the University’s academic and infrastructure may be, this progress risks being undermined by its decision to fix a N750,000 fee, seen by many as arbitrary and exploitative.

Many parents and students view the graduation fee as unreasonable and insensitive, especially at a time when most Nigerians are facing severe economic hardship. More disturbing is that this is coming at a time when the issue of exorbitant charges and alleged exploitation by private universities and private schools in general is a widespread and ongoing concern in Nigeria.

The root of the issue stems from the belief that education is too vital for a nation’s progress; therefore, institutions should not prioritise profiteering or excessive profits. Private schools often impose various charges which constitute a considerable financial burden beyond the stated tuition fees.
Not surprisingly, the reactions to the graduation fee have escalated into litigation, with the matter now before a Kano State High Court.

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission also intervened, advising parents to suspend payments and announcing its intention to investigate the matter. However, a court ordered the commission to withdraw while the case is being decided.

While the university has not provided an explanation for the fee, it may argue that the decision is informed by the need to improve infrastructure, enhance educational quality and cope with rising operational costs amidst persistent inflation.

Nevertheless, this justification raises more questions than answers. Why should a student who has completed years of academic work be required to pay as much as N750,000 simply for the ‘intent to graduate’? Does the university not follow a clear and transparent fee structure? If such a fee exists, were students and their parents informed at the time of admission? If they were not, what reason justifies introducing a new and substantial charge after students have completed their studies?

Students enrol at universities based on known and agreed fees. Introducing a new fee at the point of graduation is not only unfair and unjustifiable but also undermines trust.

MAAUN operates in northern Nigeria, which includes 17 of the country’s 23 least developed states, accounts for more than 70 per cent of Nigeria’s out-of-school children, and has been plagued by insecurity, further hindering educational progress.

Therefore, institutions like MAAUN must view their role not only as commercial enterprises but as part of a larger mission to improve the North’s educational prospects. Achieving this demands a careful balance between maintaining quality and ensuring affordability.

As expected, some Nigerians cynically argue that MAAUN students and their parents have no valid grounds for complaint. They cite the Hausa saying, ‘duk wanda ya sayi rariya, ya san zata zubar da ruwa’, suggesting that high fees are to be expected in private universities. This line of reasoning, however, overlooks the actual reasons why most parents choose private institutions.

The nation is facing a larger issue: the poor state of public universities in Nigeria. This has led to the rapid expansion of private institutions. Currently, the country has about 299 universities, with 72 operated by the federal government, 68 by state governments, and 159 privately owned. Due to years of neglect, many public universities suffer from decaying infrastructure and severe staff shortages, which are exacerbated by the japa syndrome.

For many parents, the choice between public and private universities is often clear-cut. Those with the means tend to prefer private institutions, not because they are cheaper, but because they promise a timely graduation. Repeated strikes at public universities have eroded confidence, despite these institutions generally being more affordable and, in some cases, better equipped than some of their private counterparts.

Ironically, some private universities operate from rented premises and are little more than glorified secondary schools. Across both public and private institutions, practical learning and meaningful research have been compromised, leading to a decline in the quality of graduates produced.
Although the popular saying that if one thinks education is expensive, they should try ignorance remains valid, education is fundamentally a social service. It must be insulated from arbitrary fees and other encumbrances that make it inaccessible and unaffordable for those who need it most.

The rush to private universities, many of which are established and run as profit-making ventures, is essentially a consequence of the failure of public education. Once the government makes public universities functional by investing in infrastructure and recruiting adequate, well-qualified, and properly remunerated lecturers, demand for private universities will drastically decline.

Until then, as the nation waits in a prolonged pause reminiscent of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, it is necessary to urge private institutions to strike a balance between profit and the public good.

Without prejudice to the matter before the Kano High Court, the authorities of MAAUN should reconsider the N750,000 ‘intent to graduate’ fee. It is excessive, and the controversy it has generated speaks loudly enough.

Elazeh writes from Abuja.