Following the incessant hike in tuition fees across all the tertiary institutions in the country, the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has threatened nationwide protests, calling on the Federal Government to intervene in the looming crisis surrounding the fee hike immediately.
The statement read: “We, the leadership of NANS, stand united and resolute in our commitment to protecting the rights and interests of Nigerian students.
“To this end, the recent proposals for tuition fee increases, notably from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), and Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (FECA), are unequivocally rejected,” the association said in a statement by Senate President, NANS National Headquarters, Sen. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez (BABTEE).
“It is disheartening and worrisome that despite the Federal Government’s explicit instructions against tuition fee hikes, certain Vice Chancellors and heads of institutions seem poised to defy these directives.”
“This we find barbaric, therefore, we declare that if these institutions persist in their disregard for the government’s stance, NANS will mobilize Nigerian students nationwide to stage a relentless protest, stampede, and shut down the country until our demands are met.
“We emphasize that the implementation of the new budget for education is closely monitored by NANS, and any attempt to burden students with additional financial strain will be met with fierce resistance. Education is a right, not a privilege, and we will not tolerate any infringement upon the accessibility of quality education for the Nigerian student.
“Education is not a privilege reserved for a select few; it is an inalienable right that must be made available to every Nigerian, especially the common man. The proposed tuition fee hikes, as put forth by institutions like the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) and Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (FECA), threaten to erode this fundamental right and push education beyond the reach of many.
“NANS vehemently rejects any policy that jeopardizes the accessibility of education to the common man. The negative effects of these tuition fee increments are far-reaching and have severe implications for our nation’s future.
“As fees skyrocket, many students, burdened by financial strain, will be forced to abandon their education. This tragic consequence will not only deprive countless individuals of their right to learn but will also exacerbate unemployment rates and drive some into criminal activities as a desperate means of survival.
“The proposed tuition fee increments are not only unacceptable but also an affront to the aspirations of countless students striving to contribute meaningfully to the development of our great nation.
“To forestall the negative impact/ consequences on the country at large, we call on the Federal Government to swiftly intervene, ensuring that these institutions align with the government’s commitment to affordable and quality education for all.
“The Federal Government must recognize the potential fallout from such increases – a surge in crimes, a decline in national productivity, and a setback to our collective progress. By neglecting the affordability of education, we risk creating a generation excluded from the opportunities that come with knowledge and skills acquisition.
“To this end, the leadership of NANS demands that the Federal Government, in collaboration with relevant authorities, acts decisively to ensure that tuition fees remain reasonable and accessible. We must prioritize the future of our nation by safeguarding the right to education for all Nigerians, irrespective of their socio-economic backgrounds.
“Education is a right, and NANS will not stand idly by as it becomes a privilege for the few. The security and prosperity of our nation depend on a well-educated populace, and we implore the government to take immediate action to prevent the impending crisis.”
The Informant247 reports that many public universities have increased their tuition fees, owing to the current economic situation in the country, which triggered protests in some universities.
Unilag increases tuition fees
The University of Lagos has reportedly increased the tuition fees for undergraduate students.
The development was contained in a statement dated July 20, 2023, by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, UNILAG branch, following a meeting with the top management staff, saying the institution’s vice-chancellor declared that fees would be increased for the undergraduate students.
It was learned that the institution’s students previously paid N19,000, but the management has fixed new fees at N190,250 for students studying medicine, while for courses that require laboratory and studio, students are to pay N140,250.
TASUED students protest hike in tuition fees
In reaction to the recent hike in the school fees, the students of Tai Solarin University of Education in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, on Monday, gathered at the university premises to protest against the recently announced tuition fee hike for the upcoming 2023-2024 session, as reflected on the student’s portal.
The Informant247 gathered that the school management, on Monday, raised the tuition for new students enrolled in education courses from N76,500 to N230,000 and from N76,500 to N180,000 for returning students.
It was also learned that the school fees for fresh students studying pure courses were increased from N80,500 and N90,500 to N240,000 and from N80,500 and N90,500 to 190,000 for returning students.
UNICAL increases tuition fees by 100%
The management of the University of Calabar, on Monday, announced an over 100 per cent increase in the institution’s tuition fees for undergraduates.
In the statement by the institution’s spokesman, Mr Effiong Eyo, made available to newsmen in Calabar, said the upward review of the fees was taken at an emergency meeting of the university’s Senate on Friday.
The statement stated that the implementation of the upward review will take effect in the 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 academic sessions.
The increment means that freshers, returning students, and final-year students for the non-science courses are expected to pay N111,000, N91,500, and N114,000, respectively.
In addition, they are also to pay N36,500, N21,500, and N21,500, respectively, as third-party dues.
Similarly, fees for science courses were increased to N155,000, N125,000, and N148,000, respectively, for freshers, returning students, and final-year students.
Likewise, they are also to pay N38,500, N21,500, and N21,500, respectively, as third-party dues.
Prior to the increment, tuition fees for an average student, depending on the department, were N64,050 for freshers, N52,050 for final-year students, and N49,500 for returning students.