Tuition hike in universities: NANS threatens protest
By Emma Ogbuehi
Joining forces with other distraught Nigerians, the National Association of Nigerian Students has condemned the planned increment of school fees by tertiary institutions in the country.
The association faulted the move, stressing that there is no justification for an increase in school fees across tertiary institutions and Unity schools. NANS added that increment in fees across tertiary institutions will only complicate the poverty situation of the country and also increase the number of out-of-school children.
It demanded that the increase in school fees should be suspended, adding that those who have implemented the policy should reverse it immediately.
The federal government, in announcing the fee hike in Unity Schools (Federal Government Colleges), indicated that commencing September, tuition fees for new students, which previously stood at N45,000, had been upped to N100,000.
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Universities were equally encouraged to raise the fees payable by their new intakes. University of Lagos (UNILAG), in effecting the hike, stated that hitherto, students of the institution paid N19,000 as tuition fee. But henceforth, courses that do not require laboratory and studio will attract N100,750 tuition fee; courses that require laboratory and studio will attract N140,250; while students studying medicine will pay N190,250. The institution explained the measure as being in line with the economic realities in the country.
But in a statement signed by the National PRO, Giwa Temitope and released on Saturday, NANS declared that the government’s action is “insensitive” and “embarrassing”.
The association also stressed that the government has what it takes to fund education and make it accessible, noting that the introduction of the student loan scheme is a sham and a bait to make Nigerians accept fee increments.
“We must state categorically that there is no justification for increment in school fees across our tertiary institutions and even Unity schools. Our demand is clear and simple; the attempt to increase school fees must be suspended. And, those that have floated it must reverse it with immediate effect.”
NANS also called on Nigerian students to prepare for an all-round protest until the Federal Government reverses the policy, similar to the one during the prolonged ASUU strike.
“We call on Nigerian students to brace up and be prepared for an all-round protest as was done during the prolonged ASUU strike until the Federal Government reverses this policy.
“The increment of school fees at UNILAG and the planned increment across tertiary institutions in the country has shown this administration to be a very insensitive one.
“As a matter of fact, it is most ridiculous and embarrassing that the government will be introducing fees increment without thinking of rescuing over 133 million Nigerian people from multidimensional poverty.
“Increment in fees across tertiary institutions will only complicate the poverty situation of the country and also increase the number of out-of-school children.
“As an association, we believe that the Nigerian government has what it takes to massively fund education and make it accessible. In fact, the student loan that was introduced by the Federal Government is nothing but a sham and bait to lure the Nigerian people into accepting increments in fees payable.
“Beyond the fact that the terms of the loan are ridiculous, history has taught us that not every applicant will be considered. And, even if all of them were to be considered, it still does not justify an increment in an economy that tops the unemployment index. Rather than give loans, the government must provide grants and scholarships for students.”
