Key Points:
- Nigeria’s universities have raised their fees a lot.
- Less money from the government and high inflation caused this.
- Many students might have to leave school because it’s too expensive.
It’s a tough time for students and parents in Nigeria. University fees have gone up a lot. This includes both federal and state universities.
Why University Fees are Going Up
Universities have raised fees because the government is giving less money for education.
Also, inflation in Nigeria has gone up a lot, to 22.4%. This is the highest in 17 years, says the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
Because of these problems, many universities have raised their fees.
Many universities like University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), University of Uyo (UNIUYO), and others have said their fees will go up.
Other universities may do the same. They say it’s the only way to get more money.
This news is causing worry. People are afraid that it will make life harder for Nigerians.
Some universities have said they will let students pay in parts, or give discounts to staff members’ kids.
Impact of Fee Increase
But, even with these options, the new fees are still high. For example, fees at the Federal University, Dutse, have gone up by 200%.
This means students who used to pay N37,000 now have to pay N97,000, plus other fees.
At UNIMAID, fees have gone up from N29,830 to about N74,000. Medical students have to pay even more – N252,500 for new students, and N233,000 for old ones.
In other faculties too, fees have gone up a lot.
For example, new students in law have to pay N124,500.
The fee increase is also hitting students in other places. At DELSU, parents are upset because they have to pay more for things like lab coats and ID cards. At NOUN, undergraduates now have to pay N55,000 instead of N36,000.
Government Response and Student Protests
Students, parents, and others are upset about this.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has asked President Bola Tinubu to do something about it.
They say the fee hike is unfair and hurts students from poor families.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) also doesn’t like the fee hike. They have asked the government to step in.
They are worried that many students won’t be able to afford college.
Conclusion
These are tough times for students and parents in Nigeria. High university fees are making it hard for many to get an education.
The government, universities, and others need to find a solution to this problem. Education should not be a luxury, but a right for everyone