Students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, have raised concerns over what they describe as increasing financial and emotional pressure caused by strict registration deadlines and mounting penalty fees.
Interviews conducted with students across several schools and departments in the institution revealed growing frustration over policies they say are making it difficult for many undergraduates to complete essential registration processes such as school fees and medical documentation.
Many students said the current system has turned routine registration into a financial burden, forcing them to borrow money, sacrifice basic needs and, in some cases, miss academic activities.
A student who spoke on condition of anonymity said the fear of accumulating penalties has become more stressful than the actual registration fee.
“I worry more about the penalties than the main fee,”
“I keep borrowing money from different people just to meet deadlines, and I have not even been able to repay the loans I already owe.” The student said
Another student explained that money meant for feeding and transportation is sometimes diverted to settle late-payment charges.
“If my parents send me ₦5,000 for feeding, I end up using it to pay penalties instead of eating or transporting myself to school,” she said.
Students from low-income families said the situation is particularly difficult, noting that their parents are already struggling with rising living costs, unemployment or health-related expenses.
Some respondents also claimed that late-payment penalties sometimes accumulate to the point where the total amount owed becomes higher than the original registration
Beyond the financial strain, students said the pressure to meet payment deadlines is beginning to affect their academic performance.
Several students reported missing lectures while taking up part-time work in order to raise money for registration fees.
Others said they rely on classmates’ notes because they cannot attend classes regularly.
One student disclosed that he had to sell his laptop and mobile phone to raise funds to meet payment requirements, adding that financial stress had once made him consider dropping out of school.
There are also concerns that delays in completing medical registration and other documentation could prevent some students from sitting examinations.
Students also highlighted the emotional toll caused by uncertainty around deadlines and the fear of additional weekly penalty charges.
Some respondents criticised the largely manual registration process, suggesting that improved online systems could help reduce administrative bottlenecks and ease pressure on students.
“Most of us are trying to balance school and survival,” one student said. “We need a system that supports learning rather than one that constantly adds pressure.”
Students are now appealing to the institution’s management to review the policy on registration penalties and consider more flexible options.
Among the suggestions raised are extending registration deadlines, introducing flexible payment plans and allowing a longer grace period before late fees are applied.
Some students also proposed spreading payments across semesters to reduce financial pressure, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Amid Nigeria’s ongoing economic challenges, affected students said they are not asking for special treatment but for policies that reflect the financial realities many undergraduates face.
“Our goal is to learn and graduate,” one respondent said.
“But with the constant pressure of fees and deadlines, it sometimes feels like we are fighting just to remain in school.”
