Education

From ATBU to UNILAG: Tuition Fee Increases Across Nigerian Universities

Princeton AIhebho — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 10:53:18 +0000

From ATBU to UNILAG: Tuition Fee Increases Across Nigerian Universities

In defiance of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu's call for Nigerian public universities to avoid arbitrary fee increases, some institutions have decided to raise their fees. One such university is Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Southwest Nigeria. OAU recently made a surprising announcement, increasing tuition fees significantly, ranging from N89,000 to N190,000. These fees depend on students' specific courses and academic levels. In the past, continuing students paid between N19,000 and N31,000, while new student fees ranged from N70,000 to N100,000, depending on their chosen programs.

The decision by OAU is unexpected, with the announcement coming on a Wednesday. What adds to the concern is that this move follows closely behind the University of Lagos (UNILAG), which raised tuition fees from approximately N20,000 to over N100,000, depending on the selected course of study.

This disturbing trend has reached even Nigeria's oldest university, the University of Ibadan, which has officially approved a tuition fee increase. Furthermore, institutions like the University of Maiduguri, Ahmadu Bello University, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, the University of Abuja, and the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have also joined in, announcing higher school fees for both incoming and returning students.

University Fee Hikes Weigh Heavily on Nigerian Families

These University fee increases force students and their families to dig deeper into their pockets. Many students and their families are already grappling with the high cost of living, accommodation, and other academic expenses. The sudden escalation of tuition fees has added an extra layer of financial stress. For returning students whose tuition fees were previously lower, the fee hikes have disrupted their financial planning. Similarly, fresh students face the daunting prospect of starting their academic journeys with significantly higher educational costs. This financial burden poses a critical question: how will these students and their families manage these increased expenses?

One of the gravest implications of soaring tuition fees is the potential reduction in access to higher education. Nigeria's youth population is rapidly growing, and the demand for higher education has never been more crucial. Yet, the fee hikes threaten to deter many aspiring students from pursuing a university education due to the prohibitive costs. As access narrows, Nigeria risks missing out on the talents and potential contributions of countless young minds who may have no choice but to abandon their educational dreams.

Nigeria's Need for Educational Reform

The decision to increase tuition fees in these public universities raises concerns about the financial strain on students and their families. It underscores the urgent need for a thorough review of higher education funding and accessibility in Nigeria despite the President's directive.

The financial strain on Nigerian students highlights a pressing need for educational reform. It underscores the urgency of revisiting the funding model for higher education and exploring alternative sources of revenue. Public-private partnerships, increased government investment, and scholarship programs are avenues that need exploration to ensure education remains accessible to all, regardless of their financial background. All stakeholders must join forces to ensure that education continues to serve as a source of hope and opportunity for Nigeria's youth, even amid economic challenges and increasing expenses.

Princeton AIhebho Thu, 09/14/2023 - 11:53

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ASUU has temporarily halted its eight-month strike

Princeton AIhebho — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 06:39:54 +0000

ASUU has temporarily halted its eight-month strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has temporarily halted its eight-month-long strike. The ASUU has been on strike since February 14 of this year.

During a meeting of its leadership on Thursday night that lasted into the early hours of Friday, ASUU decided to suspend the strike. Members of the union's National Executive Committee, which includes state chapter chairmen and national executive members, attended the meeting at the ASUU National Secretariat in Abuja.

The meeting was called by ASSU to determine its next course of action following a meeting of its state branches over last Friday's Court of Appeal ruling, which ordered the union to suspend the strike and ordered lecturers to return to work last week.

At the time of writing, ASUU had not yet issued an official statement regarding the suspension of the eight-month-long strike.

Princeton AIhebho Fri, 10/14/2022 - 07:39

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ASUU strike: 167 days of national humiliation

Sylvia — Sun, 31 Jul 2022 08:55:00 +0000

ASUU strike: 167 days of national humiliation

Today, July 31, 2022, commemorates 167 days since the Academic Staff Union of Universities' nationwide strike caused federal universities' doors to be closed. Following a dispute between ASUU and the Federal Government over N18.5bn owed to the union by the government.

Unfortunately, the strike, which began on February 14, 2022, is still ongoing after five months and 17 days, despite several meetings, interventions, consultations, and FG-ASUU negotiations that have yielded no results.

The strike which has affected more than 200,000 students and over 20,000 academic staff has also led to a reduced academic calendar as many colleges and universities have suspended various courses.

The next meeting is scheduled for August 1, 2022, but the fates of the nation’s students are at stake, and there is no guarantee that the strike will be called off at the ASUU National Executive Council meeting scheduled for tomorrow, August 1, 2022.

The meeting, which is expected to be attended by the Honourable Minister of Education (HME), Mallam Adamu Adam, and some other officials of the Federal Government, will be held in Abuja. According to ASUU, the strike is expected to continue until the Federal Government addresses the issues raised by its members. Since Monday, July 15, students have been protesting against the poor funding of their universities and for an improvement in the standard of education.

The undergraduates are dormant, and their parents are concerned that the months of inactivity are having a negative impact on the would-be leaders of tomorrow. They should be worried because this is the future of their country. The Nigerian government has been promising to fix the problem for decades but nothing has happened, and it’s likely that nothing will happen until there’s some kind of pressure put on them.

It should be noted that ASUU was on strike for 60 months and seven days between 1999 and the end of 2021. Unfortunately, the current strike has already lasted six months, is lasting longer than expected and may continue due to the government's approach to it.

While the doors of federal universities across the country have been closed for nearly six months, wealthy Nigerians have been flaunting graduation pictures and videos of their children and themselves from foreign universities, which many say is an insult to the country's right-thinking and long-suffering citizens. The strike has been a tough period for Nigerian families, especially those who are in dire need of education. Some students have had to drop out of school because have had to postpone their plans. Some parents also feel guilty about sending not having the money to send their children abroad or to Nigerian private schools.

Image Credit: businessday

Sylvia Sun, 07/31/2022 - 09:55

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