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Rising Fees: Parents, Students Demand Relief Amid Economic Challenges
Parents and students across Nigerian universities have expressed their concerns and appeal for measures to alleviate the burden of increasing tuition fees, as economic hardships persist. Read about the impact of rising fees and the urgent need for support in the education sector.
As the economic challenges in Nigeria continue to take a toll on its citizens, parents and students are grappling with another pressing issue—the alarming hike in university fees. The escalating cost of education has sparked widespread outcry, with fears of increased financial strain and potential mass dropouts. In this article, we explore the repercussions of rising fees, the factors contributing to this trend, and the urgent call for relief from parents and students across the country.
The Impact Of Soaring Tuition Fees
The recent adjustments in registration fees for various courses across federal and state-owned universities have sent shockwaves through Nigerian society. Reports indicate that some increments have reached a staggering 300%, exacerbating the economic woes faced by ordinary citizens. The removal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation of the naira by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have further compounded the financial burden on parents and students seeking higher education.
Economic Struggles
Parents and students alike are grappling with the harsh realities of an economy marred by inflation, rising living costs, and reduced purchasing power. Many families are already burdened with expenses related to food, transportation, and utilities, leaving them ill-equipped to bear the additional financial strain of increased tuition fees.
Lack of Access to Students’ Loan Scheme
While the recently enacted Students’ Loan Bill was expected to provide relief, the lack of clarity on how the scheme will benefit Nigerians has only deepened the complexity of the situation. Parents and educationists are concerned that the ambiguity surrounding the loan scheme may hinder eligible students from accessing the financial support they desperately need.
Self-Sponsored Students’ Plight
Students who finance their education through small and medium enterprises (SMEs) or menial jobs face significant challenges in accessing the students’ loan scheme. Many fear that the stringent requirements and limited availability of funds may render the scheme practically inaccessible, leaving them without the means to pay their fees.
Protests and Demands for Mitigation
The mounting grievances against soaring university fees have prompted students to take to the streets in protest. At Ambrose Alli University (AAU) in Edo State, students recently staged a demonstration against a nearly 300% increase in registration fees. Law students, for instance, are now expected to pay as much as N741,500 compared to the previous year’s N185,000. The students lament the state government’s disregard for the financial constraints faced by the less privileged, asserting that education should not be reserved solely for the affluent.
Similarly, students and parents in Borno and Kano states have expressed their concerns about the far-reaching implications of increased fees. The University of Maiduguri and Bayero University Kano have announced significant hikes, prompting worries about a surge in dropout rates and limiting access to higher education for ordinary Nigerians. The stories of struggling students and their families highlight the urgency for action.
Appealing For Support
Parents, students, and education stakeholders are calling upon the government to address the rising university fees crisis promptly. They advocate for the provision of mitigating factors and the revitalization of the economy before implementing further subsidy removals in the education sector. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been urged to prioritize these measures to prevent mass dropouts and ensure that affordable education remains within reach for all.
The Dilemma of University Administrators
While the outcry from parents and students is understandable, university administrators face their own set of challenges. Rising operational costs, continuing to provide quality education, and maintaining infrastructure necessitate a steady stream of funding. As a result, administrators find themselves caught between the need to generate revenue through increased fees and the responsibility to make education accessible to all.
To address this dilemma, some university administrators are exploring alternative funding models. Collaborations with private enterprises, seeking grants and donations, and implementing cost-cutting measures are among the strategies being considered. However, these efforts alone may not be sufficient to alleviate the financial strain on parents and students.
Transparent And Inclusive Dialogue
A transparent and inclusive dialogue between the government, university administrators, students, parents, and other stakeholders is crucial. This dialogue should focus on finding sustainable solutions that balance the financial needs of the universities with the affordability of education for students.
Financial Aid And Scholarships
Governments, philanthropic organizations, and private enterprises should step forward to provide financial aid and scholarships to deserving students. By increasing the availability of scholarships and grants, more students can access higher education without being burdened by excessive fees.
Strengthening Students’ Loan Scheme
The government should ensure the effective implementation of the Students’ Loan Bill, providing clear guidelines and processes for students to access loans. The scheme should consider the needs of self-sponsored students and simplify the application process to facilitate broader participation.
Economic Reforms and Job Creation
Implementing economic reforms and initiatives that promote job creation can help alleviate the financial struggles faced by parents and students. By improving the overall economic climate, individuals will have better opportunities to meet their financial obligations, including university fees.
Investment in Education
Governments should prioritize investment in the education sector to ensure the sustainability and affordability of higher education. This includes adequately funding universities, supporting research and innovation, and creating an enabling environment for quality education.
The rising university fees in Nigeria have placed a heavy burden on parents and students, exacerbating the economic challenges already faced by many. Urgent action is required to address this issue and ensure that education remains accessible and affordable for all. Through transparent dialogue, financial aid initiatives, strengthening the students’ loan scheme, and promoting economic reforms, the government, university administrators, and stakeholders can work together to mitigate the impact of rising fees and safeguard the future of Nigerian higher education.
Says Nigeria A Wounded, Bleeding Nation In Need of Healing
Says God Weeping For Nigeria Because Of Corruption, Banditry, Terrorism, Bloodshed
The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deal decisively with insecurity in Nigeria, which, he said, has developed branches and spreading like a monster across the country.
Describing Nigeria as “a wounded and bleeding nation in need of healing”, he said all security operatives must restrategize in their approach to end the widespread insecurity in the country, while resources allocated to fight crimes in the country must be used honestly and transparently.
Kaigama stated these in an interview with journalists on the sidelines of a Chrism Mass held Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral in Abuja.
“The Chrism Mass gathers us priests as one presbyterate, one family of faith, around the Bishop, to bless the oils of the sick, the catechumens, and sacred Chrism, and for each priest to renew his priestly commitment as “alter Christus” – another Christ”, the cleric explained.
Kaigama said, “When the Catholic Bishop went to see him (President Bola Tinubu). We had to appeal to the President that they must rise to the occasion, and things are well.
“There was a time when it was only Boko Haram; another time it was militant herdsmen. Now, insecurity has diversified. Criminality has developed branches. It is a monster, spreading in all directions. There is a need for restrategizing. Whatsoever the security agencies are doing has worked to an extent, but there is no solution yet.
“There should be an inter-agency corporation. There should be no competition. All the security forces should go all out for criminals. These people are not ghosts.
“I am hoping that a new step will be taken. We insist that good work must be done. The resources voted for security must be used honestly and transparently.”
Earlier while delivering his message, Kaigama said not only are priests in need of healing, but the citizens and Nigeria need it too.
He said, “Our nation needs healing from the festering wounds inflicted by politics, and harsh economic realities that do not only result in crimes and violence but subsequently, to unsound minds of our dear young people. We continue to witness criminality that robs people of their lives which should be sacred.
“The brutal killings in Ondo, Uromi, Bokkos, and Borno; the several killings in Southern Kaduna including the cruel murder of a priest of Kafanchan diocese; the killings of some 16 soldiers recently, and many untold killings show a wounded and bleeding nation in need of healing.
“One can only imagine how many families are left devastated, traumatized, and broken severely. By now, one would think that with the combination of modern technology and non-kinetic methods, criminality would have been greatly reduced in Nigeria. The recurring violence in different parts of the nation is a sign of a nation in need of healing. How criminals known as “unknown gunmen,” kidnappers, terrorists, militant herdsmen, etc., are nearly never always apprehended and decisively dealt with is puzzling.
“They appear, kill, burn houses, and farms, injure people, and disappear, and only later to stage a comeback inflicting more damage than previously, costing innumerable loss of human lives. It appears that we have yet to get the right technology to hunt these criminals down, or is it the absence of goodwill or political will?
“We are not only spiritually sick but also economically, politically, and socially. We need individual and collective healing. Luke 19:41 tells us that as Jesus nears the city of Jerusalem, He pauses and weeps. His tears are not for Himself, but for Jerusalem, for those who will reject Him, for the destruction that will come upon them because they did not recognize the time of God’s visitation.
“What makes God weep for Nigeria? Corruption, banditry, terrorism, bloodshed, etc. Despite the strong presence and the external practice of Christianity and Islam, many, reject the truth of God’s word and choose to conceal it and not bear witness to it; we put people who speak the truth down; we refuse to be instruments of God’s love and mercy to others; we choose to live in sin rather than God’s grace and mercy. We place others on the cross by our hatred and rejection of them.”
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
Prominent leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the Umbrella of the Southern Kaduna United Visionary Leaders have reiterated their unwavering commitment to the party, dismissing concerns over the growing presence of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the region.
The leaders made the declaration at an APC stakeholders’ meeting held in Chori, Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Addressing attendees, the host and Political Adviser to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Godfrey Ali Gaiya, praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani for promoting inclusive governance. He assured that the group would continue to rally behind the administration to strengthen APC’s political foothold in Southern Kaduna.
“Our goal is to make the APC not just popular but deeply rooted in Southern Kaduna through increased membership, quality representation, and strategic political appointments,” Gaiya said. He also called for unity and peaceful coexistence, noting that development thrives only in a stable and united environment.
In his address, Mr. Ado Dogo Audu, Chairman of the group and Counsellor on Political Affairs to the Governor, played down the perceived threat posed by the SDP in Zone 3 of Kaduna State. He said recent defections to the APC are a testament to the party’s people-centric policies at both state and national levels.
“APC’s inclusive structure continues to draw support from across the region,” Audu stated.
Echoing similar sentiments, Dr. Abdulmalik Durungwa emphasized the importance of deepening grassroots engagement, calling on members to make the party more visible and impactful at the community level.
Meanwhile, the National Secretary of the Renewed Hope Consolidation Mandate, Professor Dogara Matoh, urged party members to remain united and avoid divisive politics rooted in religion, ethnicity, or regionalism, especially as the 2027 elections draw nearer.
Highlighting the role of grassroots politicians, Mr. Rijo Shekari described local appointees—councilors and local government chairmen—as critical links between government and the people.
He urged them to constantly engage their constituents on government policies and developmental initiatives.
Engineer Joseph Chiroma advised party faithful to stay aligned with the party’s internal structures to avert internal conflicts. He also commended Elder Anthony Hassan for laying the groundwork for the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, calling it a landmark achievement for the grassroots.
The meeting concluded with a renewed call for unity and proactive political mobilization as the APC intensifies efforts to consolidate its presence across Southern Kaduna.
The story with the caption, 25 Persons Killed, Scores Injured As Armed Herdsmen Attack Enugu Village is not only built on devious masturbatory hallucination, but completely false.
Agreed that lately marauding herdsmen have been running amok across the Country, invading towns and villages, and leaving a trail of sorrow, tears and blood in their path. However, there was no such invaders attack on the agrarian communities of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area in Enugu State that left 25 persons dead.
This independent rebuttal of the falsehood targeted at diminishing the halcyon strides of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and the Enugu State Government in the area of Security is long overdue. We MUST not suffer ‘alarmists and fifth Columnists’ gladly. We have therefore chosen to debunk the devious falsehood of tale-mongers and bearers of false report and fake news.
Twice the false tale of marauding Herdsmen sacking communities in Enugu State have been bandied by those who are desperate to undermine the success of Enugu State in protecting lives and property. Not having any scores against the Enugu State Government in areas of Infrastructural Development, Education, Healthcare, Agriculture, and regarding facts about the profound strides of the Enugu State Government, naysayers have resorted to the Politricks Of Insecurity. They have chosen to hype isolated incidents and falsely alarm lovers of the State, Ndi’Enugu and Nigerians.
We, the Concerned Professionals For Good Governance (A Good Leadership Advocacy Group) upon seeing the news that has since gone viral regarding 25 Persons allegedly mowed down by Herdsmen in Enugu State proceeded to verify the news. We reached out to local Vigilantes, to Security Agencies as well as Agents of Government at the State and the Local Government level, sadly we found out that it was untrue. And we decided to query the possible reasons cum intention of the bearers of the false report and the fake news.
Enugu State has a premium time Digitalised Security Control Centre. Enugu State collaborates seamlessly with the Police, the Army and other Para-Military Agencies charged with the protection of lives and property. Enugu State is doing profoundly well in almost all the sectors of leadership, and Enugu State has become the go-to location for Corporate, Public Sector and Private Sector retreats and Conventions as well as Governmental events. It has become the shinning example in good governance. But Enugu State has also clearly become the envy of other States, such that Politicians seeking to diminish the laudable feats of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and His Team have resorted to the Politricks of fear-mongering and insecurity, but we shall not fold our hands and allow falsehood to stick.
Enugu State is arguably the safest State in the entire South, thanks to the commitment of the Enugu State to the protection of lives and property. This Truism have been attested to by Nigerians of different tendencies including friends and even members of Parties in the opposition in Enugu State. The commitment of the ebullient Governor of Enugu State to security is Olympic and indisputable, and not only is the State Government supportive of Security outfits with funding, the State has in place a Public and a Private Sector fueled fund to support Security Agencies in the furtherance of the Security of the State.
We can say without equivocation that Enugu State is safe and is deservedly emerging a preferred destination for investments, business, tourism, and living. It is proudly emerging a conferencing capital, ready and able to host tier one events such as the forthcoming NBA conference and Nigerian Guild of Editors Conference, among others. Ndi’Enugu are hospitable and willing to play host to legitimate institutions, as the State government in partnership with all available Security Agencies work seamlessly to guarantee peace and security in Enugu State.
We urge and encourage the media to always verify and validate information particularly issues bothering on Security before publication. That way, fake news on matters of Security will be shibboleth. And that way the Politricks Of Insecurity would cease to oil the frontiers of devious politics.
Enugu State is safe and will remain so, as the government is unalterably committed to the protection of lives and property.
Okechukwu Nwafor
Concerned Professionals For Good Governance. (A Good Leadership Advocacy Group).