As universities prepare to commence the new academic session, concerns are rising over the continued increase in tuition fees at tertiary institutions across Nigeria. This has led to protests by various stakeholders, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), parents, and students, who fear a surge in dropouts due to the rising costs.
ASUU has expressed its disapproval of these fee hikes, emphasizing that universities should not be operated as profit-making ventures. The recent fee adjustments at institutions like Obafemi Awolowo University in Osun State have further fueled these concerns. The revised fee structure announced by the university includes higher fees for both new and returning students in various faculties.
Similarly, the University of Benin introduced new fees for the 2022/2023 academic session, significantly increasing the cost of education for science and non-science students. However, following negotiations between the Students Union Government and the university’s management, the fees were reduced for both groups, offering some relief to students.
Several other federal universities have also implemented fee increments, citing the rising costs of learning materials and the need for adequate funding of their activities. Universities such as the Federal University of Health Sciences in Azare, University of Maiduguri, Federal University Dutse, Federal University Lafia, University of Uyo, and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, among others, have all followed suit.
In 2023, the University of Lagos, University of Jos, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, also announced fee increments. For instance, the University of Nigeria Nsukka raised fees for undergraduates across all levels, affecting various faculties.
These fee hikes have sparked widespread student protests across the country. Students at the University of Lagos and the University of Jos took to the streets to voice their dissatisfaction with the fee increases, calling on school authorities to reconsider their decisions. The Great Ife Students Union and other student bodies have also expressed their concerns about the affordability of education, especially for returning students facing substantial fee hikes.
ASUU, in its response, highlighted the constitutional provision for free education in Nigeria, asserting that parents are already paying for their children’s education, which the government should be funding adequately. The union urged the government to prioritize education and allocate more resources to the sector.
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) echoed the sentiment that public universities require government funding to remain viable. SSANU leaders argued that without adequate funding, universities have little choice but to raise fees to cover their operational costs.
Despite the ongoing protests and criticism, university authorities assert that they have the autonomy to set fees as approved by their governing councils. They contend that the government’s lack of adequate financial support necessitates these fee adjustments.
Meanwhile, the National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria has cautioned against fee hikes, citing concerns that they may force many students to drop out, potentially leading to an increase in crime rates.
In conclusion, the issue of rising tuition fees in Nigerian universities has stirred significant controversy and unrest among students, parents, and educators. The debate continues to revolve around the need for government funding to ensure affordable education and prevent mass student dropouts, while university administrations argue that fee hikes are necessary to cover their operational costs in the face of inadequate financial support from the government.