In his plea, Osodeke emphasized the need for the government to find a balanced approach that ensures a secure future for the nation's upcoming leaders.

The concern arises amidst the recent fee increases witnessed in Unity Colleges and select first-generation public tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

During an interview with a reputable news agency in Lagos on Sunday, Osodeke expressed his reservations about the potential counterproductive impact of the fee hike.

Notably, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) became the latest public university to implement a substantial fee adjustment, raising fees from N25,000 to nearly N200,000, depending on the academic program.

As of the 2023/2024 academic session, the university announced the revised obligatory charges for both new and returning students. The mandatory charges for one academic session for new undergraduate students amount to N126,325 for courses without laboratory/studio, while courses with laboratory and studio incur mandatory charges of N176,325.

For returning students, the approved charges amount to N100,750 for courses without laboratory and studio and N140,250 for courses with laboratory and studio. Medical students are required to pay N190,250 in charges.

in addition, a utility charge of N20,000 was implemented for all undergraduate students, with a total of N30,000 to be paid by all final year students.

The situation has sparked concerns about accessibility to quality education and its potential implications on the future workforce of the country. As the debate continues, stakeholders await the government's response and potential actions to address these concerns.

The university stated that the fee review resulted from extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including students, parents/guardians, staff unions, and alumni.

The rationale behind the fee adjustment, as explained by the university, is to address the existing economic challenges and ensure the institution's ability to fulfill its commitments to students, staff, and service providers within the community.

Osodeke emphasized the importance of adopting a comprehensive and people-centered approach to address these issues effectively. He believes that policies should be designed with the welfare and interests of all individuals involved in mind.