House stops federal universities from increasing fees
The House of Representatives has directed the National Universities Commission (NUC) to halt the hiking of tuition and associated fees paid by students.
As contained in its Order Paper, the House of Representatives said the underfunding of tertiary education and rising inflation were responsible for the universities’ decisions to increase fees from “100% to 200% while hostel fees were increased from 50% to 100%.”
The fees hike has been implemented in Bayero University, Kano (BUK); University of Nigeria, Nsukka; the University of Uyo; University of Maiduguri; Michael Okpara University of Agriculture; Umudike and Federal University, Dutse, among others.
The House resolved that the fees hike “is happening against the worsening poverty level in the country, inflation, and high rate of unemployment and the recent fuel price hike.”
The parliament equally pointed out that the increment “could cause disruptions” in the academic studies of students who are unable to afford them, which can ultimately force them to drop out. The parliament said students’ threats on the matter might “aggravate the already volatile situation in the country.”
The house said it is worried about the “increased rate of university dropouts” as such could “worsen insecurity in Nigeria as the frustrated students may find the wrong outlets to express their grievances.”
In addition to its directive to the NUC, the House equally mandated its Committee on Tertiary Education and Services (when constituted) “to investigate the increase of fees by Federal Universities across the country with a view to finding lasting solutions to the challenges in the tertiary education sector.”
