Pharmacy Technician students at Al-asas College of Health Technology, Minna, Niger State, have been charged N304,000 for their upcoming national examinations, the bulk of which its students considered as extortion.

Students in the school told SaharaReporters they paid N70,000 for indexing, N180,000 for national exams, and N30,000 for conduct fees, which are reportedly considered part of their accommodation expenses.

Additionally, each student was required to pay N24,000 for transportation to and from Gombe State, where the examinations are currently taking place.

The students departed for Gombe on Sunday, August 31, and are expected to return on Saturday, September 7, 2024. However, concerns have been raised about the exorbitant fees, as they significantly exceed the official rates set by the pharmacy technician national body.

According to the national body’s help desk, students should only pay N20,000 for indexing and N3,500 for the national examination.
A source familiar with the process told SaharaReporters that the total amount students are expected to pay is just about N35,000, far below the N304,000 being charged by the school.

Another student who spoke to SaharaReporters confirmed that that conduct fees were explained as part of the accommodation cost, but the overall charge remains a major concern.

In contrast, community health students at the same institution have paid significantly lower fees. These students were charged N20,000 for a license fee, N3,000 for a certificate, N70,000 for indexing, and N70,000 for the national examination, totalling N163,000.

Unlike the pharmacy technicians, the community health students will take their examinations in Minna, removing the need for transportation or accommodation costs.

The sharp difference between the official fees and the amounts being charged has raised questions about financial transparency at the college. Students are calling on the administration to provide a clear explanation for the inflated costs.

With the examinations already in progress, students are left grappling with the financial burden, while hoping for a resolution from the school authorities.

The situation highlights broader concerns about the financial strain placed on students in higher education, particularly in the health sector.

When SaharaReporters contacted the school director, Muhammaddeen Muhammad, he stated that he was receiving treatment at the hospital and promised to follow up with the reporter on the matter.

However, students told SaharaReporters that Mr Muhammad has since recovered and is in Gombe where they are taking their examinations and not in the hospital.

However, subsequent efforts to reach the school director failed as he did not answer his calls or reply to messages sent to his mobile line.