Following the removal of fuel subsidy by the President Bola Amed Tinubu led administration, Nigeria universities has increased tuition fees beyond the reasonable level. According to the system, the school fees needed to be increased in other to meet up with the nation high cost of living and inflationary increase in price of goods as well as the parallel market.
Raising school fees beyond the minimum wages is a malady, where should parents get money to augment the tedious state that comes with education?
In recent time, president Tinubu had approved the student bill to enable student access loan for their education.
These coincidence at same time calls for critical analysis that the act was intentional. Although, it was an applaudable move. Of course, our government borrow the idea from develop nations where you can school and pay back. Considering the implications of these bills, it fails to put into cognizance the modality at which the loan can easily access. The layout process is like a Carmel trying to pass through a needle in my opinion.
The level of unemployment will marred the bills. Because there are no speculation on weather there is a job waiting after graduation, then how do the lucky few one who might get the loan payback?
Nigeria public university who used to be free in the like of university of Lagos unilag who increase her tuition fee from 19,000 to 190,250, Bayero university, university of Benin uniben and others have exponentially increase their school fees beyond the shoulder of the common man. Will this mark the end of educated for the poor man?
In my own opinion, hike in school fees is not an antidote for removal of fuel subsidy. Government should have put into place an alternative plans that will cushion the effect of the subsidy removals on civil servant. One of the way is to review their minimum wages, devise an e- class where lecturer can teach their students via electronic gadget without not present in class. If all these measures have being put in place, then hike in school fees can be questionable.
– Idoko Sunday Ogacheko
Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU) Anyigba Kogi State.
