Tuition fees hike: Student group threatens mass protest

• The National Association of University Students (NAUS) has threatened to stage a mass protest in the country following the recent increase in tuition fees in tertiary institutions and government schools
• The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has reportedly increased fees for undergraduate students in the institution
• The federal government, through the Federal Ministry of Education, has raised the school fees for new students entering Federal Government Colleges (FGCs)

Following the recent increase in tuition fees in tertiary institutions and government schools, the National Association of University Students has threatened to stage a mass protest in the country.

This was revealed exclusively to our correspondent in a statement titled “Warning Against Tuition Fee Increment” issued on Saturday by NAUS Chairman Eruobami Ayobami and National Deputy President Babalola Daniel, respectively.

It is with great displeasure that we write to condemn the act of the Federal Government as well as higher institutions who have decided to increase the price of tuition in this current economic disintegration, the statement read in part.

WITHIN NIGERIA reported that the management of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State has reportedly increased fees for undergraduate students in the institution.

This was stated in a statement issued by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, UNILAG branch, on July 20, 2023, following a meeting with top management staff.

Students at the institution previously paid N19,000, but the administration has set new fees at N190,250 for students studying medicine, and N140,250 for courses requiring laboratory and studio work.

In addition, the federal government, through the Federal Ministry of Education, has raised the school fees for new students entering Federal Government Colleges, also known as Federal Unity Colleges, to $100,000.

According to the circular titled “Approved fees/ charges for Federal Unity Colleges (1st Term) for new students” signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, new students are expected to pay N100,000 instead of the previous N45,000.

NAUS also stated that it is obvious that the state of our university education is not encouraging, and as such, implementations that would further harm the educational system would be discouraged.

University is where every profession that runs the nation is trained and mentored; investing in the birthplace of every profession should never be a problem for any nation interested in development.

It warned that the student population would not hesitate to protest any tuition increase legislation.

As students, we will not hesitate to come out in large numbers to protest any form of implementation that poses a threat to the students’ community, it added.

While assuring students of its commitment to protecting their interests at all times, the student body also urged various higher education institutions that have plans to raise their school fees to reconsider their plans, as it will do more harm than good to the academic system and have a negative impact on students.