They emphasize the need to find sustainable solutions to tackle this issue.
This appeal comes in response to the recent tuition and fee hikes in certain public tertiary institutions. These increases are part of the institutions' strategies to cope with the removal of fuel subsidies by the Federal Government, resulting in a surge in the cost of living across the country.
Several universities, including the University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, Tai Solarin University of Education, University of Jos, Lagos State University, among others, have implemented these fee hikes.
Okafor Ernest, the Director of the National Association of Nigerian Students, spoke on behalf of the union, stating that no school possesses unilateral power to raise tuition fees.
He said, “The President of NANS, Lucky Omonefe, said no institution had the right to increase the fees, and that currently, parents were suffering to cater for their children and make sure they go to school.
“Increasing the school fees is also inflicting hardship on the parents, knowing that the country is not stable. We know things are not normal and we have said that there should be no increment for now.”
The former coordinator of the National Association of Nigerian Students South-West Zone, Samuel Kappo, described the increase as unpleasant considering the hardship parents face.
He said, “I find this unappealing, especially looking at the country where families are struggling to meet up with their needs. The government must see this as a necessity to wind down this increment as it would lead to massive dropout of students. It is noteworthy that education is the bedrock of any nation.”
Also, a students’ activist, Femi Adeyeye, expressed the need for a reversal of fee hikes in all tertiary institutions without delay.
He said, “We are asking for a reversal of the fees to the original fees and we are not asking for a reduction. It’s for the government to fund education, and they can. Today, the kind of economy Nigeria runs is what determines the kind of educational system we’ve.
