House of Representatives Orders Suspension of School Fee Increase in Universities

 

The House of Representatives has called on the federal government to suspend the planned hike in school fees in federal government universities.

The resolution came as a response to a motion presented by Aliyu Madaki on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, during a session of the House.

Madaki expressed concerns over the significant increase in tuition fees, with some universities raising them by as much as 200%.

He highlighted the contradiction between the rising cost of education and the deteriorating economic situation in the country, which has resulted in increased levels of poverty.

Madaki specifically mentioned several universities that implemented fee hikes, including Bayero University, Kano (BUK), the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, the University of Uyo, University of Maiduguri, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, and Federal University, Dutse.

"The hike in fees by the universities is happening against the worsening poverty level in the country, inflation, high rate of unemployment, and the recent fuel price hike," Madaki stated, underlining the financial burden this places on students and their families.

In response to these concerns, the House of Representatives has urged the National Universities Commission (NUC) to immediately halt the implementation of the fee increase in federal universities.

Additionally, the House has tasked the Committee on Tertiary Education and Services, once constituted, with investigating the fee hikes in federal universities across the country.

The committee will work towards finding lasting solutions to the challenges faced by the tertiary education sector.

This decision by the House of Representatives has generated enthusiasm among students and parents who have been grappling with the rising cost of education.

Many hope that the suspension of the fee increase will provide relief and ensure that higher education remains accessible to all, irrespective of their financial backgrounds.

As the Committee on Tertiary Education and Services embarks on its investigation, stakeholders in the education sector eagerly anticipate the recommendations and measures that will be proposed to address the challenges in the tertiary education system.

The outcome of this investigation will be crucial in shaping the future of higher education in Nigeria, as it aims to strike a balance between providing quality education and ensuring affordability for students. Share this report below!