The National Association of University Students has condemned the recent increase in the tuition fees in tertiary institution and government schools and threatened to stage a mass protest in the country.
This was disclosed in a statement titled “Warning Against Tuition Fee Increment” issued on Saturday by NAUS Chairman Eruobami Ayobami and National Deputy President Babalola Daniel, respectively and made available to newsmen.
“It is with great displeasure as we Write to condemn the act of the Federal Government as well as higher institutions who have decided to increase the price of tuition in this current economic disintegration,” the statement partly read.
This is coming after the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Lagos State, management confirmed an increase in fees for the institution’s undergraduate students
Following a meeting with senior management personnel, the Senior personnel Association of Nigerian Universities, UNILAG branch, declared this in a statement on July 20, 2023.
The management increased the institution’s fees from the former N19,000 per student to N190,250 for those pursuing a medical degree and N140,250 for those enrolled in courses involving laboratory and studio work.
Similar to this, the federal government announced a rise in tuition for new students at Federal Government Colleges, commonly known as Federal Unity Colleges, from 45,000 to 100,000.
The Director of Senior Secondary Education, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, signed a circular title “Approved fees/ charges for Federal Unity Colleges (1st Term) for new students,” which states that new students must pay N100,000 instead of the customary N45,000 to enroll.
Reacting, NAUS said that it is apparent that our university education is in a poor state, and as a result, any changes that would make the system even worse would be resisted.
“University is where every profession that runs the nation is trained and mentored; investing in the birthplace of every profession should never be a problem for any nation interested in development.”
It warned that the student population would not hesitate to protest any tuition increase legislation.