In a controversial move, the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education, has announced a significant increase in school fees for new students entering Federal Government Colleges, commonly known as Federal Unity Colleges. The directive, dated 25th May 2023, was issued by the Office of the Director of Senior Secondary Education Department, and it has sparked outrage among Nigerian parents and students.
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, the new students are now required to pay ₦100,000 as school fees, compared to the previous amount of ₦45,000.
The impact of this fee increment is far-reaching, affecting various aspects and activities within the schools. The increased fees cover tuition and boarding fees, uniforms, textbooks, deposits, exercise books, prospectus, caution fees, ID cards, stationery, clubs and societies, sports, extra lessons, insurance, and more.
“The latest fees/charge increment will affect virtually all aspects and activities of the school, including tuition and boarding fees, uniform, text books, deposit, exercise books, prospectus, caution fee, ID card, stationery, clubs and societies, sports, extra lesson, insurance, et al.
“Please be informed that the ministry has approved only the underlisted fees and charges for all Unity Colleges,” the memo read.
The Nigerian Parents Forum had earlier appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and reverse the over 100% increment on fees paid by students in Federal Government Colleges. The previous increment raised the fees from ₦32,000 to ₦75,000. The group expressed their dissatisfaction with the arbitrary and insensitive nature of the fee hike, considering President Tinubu’s promise of welfare programs to help Nigerian parents cope with the economic challenges posed by fuel subsidy removal in the country.
Mr. Monday Eze, the National Coordinator of the Forum, also highlighted other concerning issues within the education sector, such as the lack of qualified teachers, hostels, classrooms, science, and technical workshops in the six Federal Science and Technical Colleges established in the six geopolitical zones in 2021. He called on the new administration to prioritize addressing these essential needs.
Furthermore, the Federal Universities in Nigeria have also increased their school fees, compounding the burden on students and their families. The House of Representatives responded to the public outcry by directing the National Universities Commission (NUC) to immediately halt the implementation of tuition fee hikes by federal universities. The House also mandated its Committee on Tertiary Education and Services to investigate the reasons behind the fee increments and work towards finding lasting solutions to the challenges in the tertiary education sector.
The rising fees are a matter of concern for many Nigerians, as they come at a time when the country is facing worsening poverty levels, inflation, high rates of unemployment, and recent fuel price hikes. The increasing cost of education puts an additional strain on families, making it increasingly difficult for low-income households to afford quality education for their children, even in government-sponsored schools.
As the nation grapples with these controversial measures, the plight of the average Nigerian is becoming ever more evident. The cry for accessible and affordable education is growing louder, urging the government to reconsider its decisions and prioritize the welfare of its citizens. The Nigerian people, in the face of hardship, are looking for hope and solutions, hoping that their collective voice will be heard, and positive changes will be implemented for the betterment of the nation’s future.
Currently, accessing university education has become extremely challenging, especially for children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. They might find themselves compelled to resort to student loans in a country plagued by a lack of employment opportunities.
While President Tinubu’s vision of an Education Loan Fund aims to alleviate the financial barriers to higher education, critics question whether saddling young scholars with debt is the most prudent solution. The absence of job opportunities exacerbates the risks, leading to fears that many graduates might struggle to repay their loans, perpetuating a cycle of debt and uncertainty.
Dear Nigerian student, brace yourselves for a harsh reality that awaits you at the end of your academic journey. Gone are the days of free and accessible education; now, you may emerge from the hallowed halls of your university only to find yourself shackled to the government, owing millions of naira. Is this the legacy that President Bola Tinubu wishes to be remembered for, burdening the very youth he claims to support?
One can only hope that our leaders will take into consideration the dire consequences this could have on the aspirations of countless young minds. The dreams of a brighter future should never come at the cost of crushing debt for those who can least afford it. The nation watches with bated breath as the fate of its future generations hangs in the balance.
