Recent reports indicate that Nigerians are distressed over the school fee hike. They are worried about the impact on their financial difficulties and the potential for students to drop out of their studies.
Numerous federal and state-owned universities have announced significant increases in registration fees, with some seeing an alarming spike of up to 300%.
The increase in school fees, along with the existing economic challenges made worse by the removal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation of the Nigerian currency, has made it harder for regular Nigerians who want to attend university. Parents and students have highlighted these difficulties.
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Universities that have increased school fees
The recently implemented Students’ Loan Scheme, as provided by the Students’ Loan Bill, was initially seen as a driving factor behind the increased registration fees.
Students recently protested in response to the nearly 300% rise in registration fees at Ambrose Alli University (AAU) in Ekpoma, Edo State.
They argued that this increase has made certain courses at the university more expensive than comparable programs offered by some private universities. For instance, law students are now expected to pay as much as N741,500, compared to N185,000 in the previous year.
Bayero University Kano also recently announced an increase in central registration fees, administrative charges, and hostel maintenance fees for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
According to the new fee structure, nursing students will face the highest charges among undergraduates, with N220,500 for fresh students and N197,500 for returning students. Students in the Faculty of Clinical Sciences (MBBS) and Dentistry will now pay N170,000 (fresh) and N160,000 (returning).
Education course students must pay between N137,500 and N138,500 for fresh students, while returning students will pay between N132,500 and N138,500, depending on their specific program.
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President Tinubu signs student loan bill into law
In another news, President Bola Tinubu has officially approved the student loan bill. Dele Alake, an aide to the president, informed State House correspondents about this development.
The bill allows Nigerian students to borrow money for their education without paying any interest. Dele Alake, a spokesperson for the president, shared this news after the signing ceremony at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Alake said this bill would greatly support young people’s educational aspirations nationwide. However, students must prove they come from a poor background to be eligible for the loan.
