Inspite of the Federal Government’s initial denial of an allegation by the Academic Staff Union of Universities of a planned hike in tuition fee being paid by students across the country, the authorities of some of the institutions have already begun the implementation of the increment.
According to findings, no fewer than four universities have so far increased their tuition fee this year with the claim of augmenting the schools’ finances to meet pressing needs.
Recall that the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono, had argued that ASUU’s claim of fee increment was untrue, asking Nigerians to disregard the media report and support government’s effort to revamp the education system.
Echono had said government was working towards a means to generate funding opportunities for the institutions.
He had said, “I must confirm to you that government has no plan to increase tuition fees in Nigerian universities as being claimed by ASUU. There might be gaps in funding the education sector, particularly the universities, but the claim of such increase in tuition fees by ASUU is untrue.
“However, I can confirm that President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Federal ministries of Education and Finance to develop a workable plan that would herald increase in funding opportunities for the institutions.”
Echono disclosed that the education ministry had revisited its plans to establish an education bank that would give low interest loans to interested students and parents to fund their education needs.
But it is clear that the planned fee hike by the various universities is progressing in a subtle way and without the Federal Ministry of Education calling them to order.
The University of Ilorin, Kwara State, has gone ahead to hike its tuition fee by over 100 per cent. At UNILORIN, it was reported that the tuition increment would take effect from the 2018/2019 academic session. The institution claimed that the increment was just marginal and necessitated by the current economic reality, but still below those of other universities.
Similarly, the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology increased her tuition fee by 60 per cent.
In a statement, the institution’s Registrar, J. A. Agboola, said that with effect from the 2018/2019 academic session, indigene students of the owner states (Oyo and Osun) will pay N200, 000 per session while non-indigenes will pay N250, 000.
Prior to the new tuition regime, as gathered, students of Oyo and Osun states origin paid N63, 500 per session, while non-indigenes paid N72, 500.
The current 100 level students, after a long strike, were instructed to pay N120, 000 (indigenes) and N150, 000 (non-indigenes) as part of the resolution by the institution. All students, both new and old, are to pay the same amount, according to the new fee on resumption.
Similarly, in April 2018, the management of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Akoko, Ondo State, increased tuition fee from N25, 000 to N200, 000.It was stated that while fresh students in the faculties of Arts and Education were to pay N150, 000, returning students were to pay N120, 000. Fresh students in the faculties of Science, Agriculture, Social and Management Sciences, were to pay N180, 000 and the returning students N150, 000. Fresh students in the Faculty of Law were asked to pay N200, 000 and the returning students, N150, 000. The increment was, however, resisted by parents and other stakeholders.
At the University of Ibadan, the management sent the medical students out of their hostels for staging a sit-in protest over hike in fee.
I am not 100 per cent saying that the increment is right but since we do not have any other option and the universities claim they are short-funded, the government should fund the universities to enable parents who are not rich to send their children to school
The university’s Senate had recommended increment in hostel fee from N14, 000 to N30, 000 for main those in the campus and N40, 000 for others in the College of Medicine with effect from 2017/2018 academic session.
The Registrar, Mr. Olujimi Olukoya, in a statement said the decision was taken by the academic board during a meeting.
But it did not go down well with the students, especially those at the College of Medicine, who staged a protest, urging the school authorities to rescind its decision. They described the increase as astronomical and lamented that the amount paid by both pre-clinical and clinical students would adversely affect their programme.
But the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, had earlier stated that the institution “is at a point where it is difficult to continue to subsidise the running of the halls of residence and carry out some other academic functions.
“This cannot be feasible without a slight adjustment in accommodation charges and in some fees items payable by students in some faculties.”
He said the increase in accommodation fee only affected all students who desire to stay in the halls of residence, adding that “residency in the halls of residence is optional.’’
PARENTS PLEAD
Afraid of the unfolding development as the 2017/2018 session ends, parents and students are pleading with the Federal Government to intervene immediately before all the other institutions jump on the bandwagon.
According to them, as the institutions are increasing fees to fit into the economy, they also are seeking subsidised fees to enable them to cater for their other social needs.
A civil servant, Mrs. Olufunke King, who has two of her sons in two different universities, said her children had to go to school inspite of the increased fees, but the Federal Government should intervene.
She said, “We all know that education is not free as claimed in Nigeria. If the government is saying education is free, it means they are liars. If the increment is outrageous, there is nothing we can do. We want the best. State university fees are outrageous.
“If fees are to be increased, not outrageously; the Federal Government should make provisions for bursary and scholarships.
“I am not 100 per cent saying that the increment is right but since we do not have any other option and the universities claim they are short-funded, the government should fund the universities to enable parents who are not rich to send their children to school.”
According to her, job opportunities with good pay now is through quality education.
King said, “Look at the minimum wage, it is a sign that our children needs to go to school and the Federal Government should fund universities. We do not want to turn out university graduates that cannot construct simple English.”
“The issue is this, if you want the best you have to pay for it, if you check the increment it is still under N50, 000 in UNILORIN. When you compare the fees with some other institutions without being sentimental it is still fair.”
Another parent, Mr. James Funsho, said that things were currently not easy in the country. He said the cost of living had far risen above the income.
Funsho said, “When you receive an income of N50, 000 and you have to pay school fees of N55, 000 for two students in a supposed free government university, how do you intend to secure shelter, food and the likes for them with the same source of income?
“The Federal Government should stand for us and help to subsidise the fees. Schools are increasing their fees because they lack fund and students must learn. Another session is fast approaching; we do not know which school will increase her fee again, depending on the state.”
Meanwhile students have also pleaded with the Federal Government to intervene by funding the universities adequately.
Speaking on behave of her friends, Funmi Deborah a student of the Kogi State University, Funmi Deborah, enjoined the government to come to the aid of public schools.
“We need more of scholarships to help our parents sponsor us. Everything is expensive, food, clothes, accommodation and others. These are the things our parents still worry about after paying our tuition fees. We want the Federal Government to support us,” she said.
