Education
Federal Universities and Hike in Fees
By Jerome-Mario Chijioke Utomi
It is pedestrian information that while Nigerians were waiting for the commencement of governance, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the day of his inauguration, precisely on Monday, May 29, 2023, announced the removal of fuel subsidy without putting palliatives in place to assist ameliorate the harsh impact of such policy reversal. Also newsy is that before the dust raised by such a decision could settle, another was up, as the Federal Government again implemented a coordinated but thoughtless hike in fees paid by students of most of the tertiary institutions of higher learning in the country.
What is, however, different is that such harrowing decisions have left varying degrees of unpalatable impacts on Nigerians.
To the students, it has dampened their morale, a state of affairs which visits the nation with a clear and present danger. To their parents, it has brought a combination of dropping spirit and despondency. For the lecturers, they have given up hope on Federal Government’s ability to find sustainable solutions to problems confronting humanity and the nation’s educational sector in particular. The FG’s latest decision and unrelenting inability to promptly respond to the socioeconomic need of Nigerians has adversely turned public affair commentators, development professionals, and public policy watchers into a bunch that keep repeating one topic.
More damaging is that the ongoing hike in fees in the nation’s Federal Government owned universities amply demonstrates a nation that its leaders neither appreciate education as the bedrock of development nor believe in the time-honoured saying that; with sound educational institutions, a country is as good as made -as the institutions will turn out all rounded manpower to continue with the development of the society driven by well thought out ideas, policies, programmes, and projects.
While well-meaning Nigerians need to feel worried as well as collectively work hard to deliver the nation’s public universities from the valleys of the shadow of death, is that in the past decade, nothing seems to be changing for the better in that sector.
Take as an illustration, in my similar intervention, ‘Nigerian Students and Public Universities, ‘ published in October 2019, the piece diligently underlined that there were two forms of challenges confronting tertiary education in the country. The first, as captured in the reference intervention, lays out the dilemma posed by the government’s underfunding of the public universities, which as a consequence, impedes lecturers from carrying out scholarly research, truncates academic calendar with strike actions, lace Nigerian universities with dilapidated and overstretched learning facilities with the universities producing graduates devoid of linkage with the manpower demand by the nation’s industrial sector.
The second challenge stems from the first but centres more particularly on thoughtless demand for fees of varying amounts/ proposed by the school authorities-a development that is financially squeezing the life out of innocent students and their parents.
Despite the dilemma and menace indicated above posing risks to tertiary education survival in Nigeria, coupled with similar calls by other well-meaning Nigerians, development experts and stakeholders in the nation’s education sector, it remains a painful narrative that instead of the challenges abating, the Federal government allowed it to blossom. In fact, it has morphed from bad to worse. And except the government commits its resources to get to the root of the challenge, the potential consequence could be higher than that of other challenges currently ravaging the nation.
This is not the only concern here.
A while ago, a student in one of the universities in Nigeria’s south-south geopolitical zone noted in frustration that inexplicable fees paid by students have gotten so complicated that the students can no longer spot the ones that are authentic or otherwise. And further lamented that despite these fees, student hostels have been overtaken by Bedbugs and bushes, making it convivial for reptiles/rodents to struggle for spaces with students, and left with neither portable water nor electricity as a result of the school authority’s inability to power the school generator or settle their indebtedness to the Electricity Distribution Company (DISCO) that services the region.
The above example is not to suggest that such is limited to the school in question, as no public university in the country can boast of clean hands. The challenge may exist in overt and glaring forms within the school I question but exists in a hidden and subtle manner in others. Looking at commentaries, it’s obvious that there is no end to the list of such Universities. This is a verifiable fact.
By analyzing what goes on in each of these schools, clearly presents a clumsy and discomforting attitude to the students and their parents and provides answers as to why many of our youths- those that will provide the future leadership of the country are on the streets instead of school.
This leads to another observation; the demand by universities in Nigeria of unthinkable and varying amounts as acceptance fees from new students- a practice that crushes/squeezes the life out of so many parents.
With this appealing awareness in mind, one may be tempted to ask what the acceptance fee signifies. Why must students pay the acceptance fee for an admission they voluntarily expressed interest in and paid the examination fees? In fact, it may not be hasty or considered illogical to conclude that in a situation a candidate is not willing to accept admission, he may not, in the first instance, border on registering or participating in the examination.
Regardless of what others may say, it is important to recognize that educational development, particularly at the tertiary level, is not what the government alone can shoulder as it is both capital intensive and requires productive collaboration. It, however, remains a worrying development that while the privately-owned universities like sheep have gone their ways with astronomical charges as school fees, despite the obviousness of gaps and incongruencies between their fees and the quality of education they impact on the children, the public universities which supposed to provide palliatives now behave as if it is a competition with their private counterparts over fees.
For me, there are reasons why this worry expressed should not be described as unfounded or treated with levity.
First, these harsh economic policies are coming at a time when the FG/state has both visibly and persistently manifested gross incapacity to implement living wages across the country and in a season when the unemployment rate in the country is at an all-time high.
What if the parents of these students were among those caught up by the minimum wage cobweb, unemployment or underemployment at the very least? How can they cope with these arbitrary fees currently demanded by federal universities?
To move this nation forward, we need to recognize that a sound educational sector and sustained infrastructural development remain the spine. We must learn that nations such as the Jews progressed because they possessed a tradition of education combined with social and political action. They enthroned education and sacrificed as a nation to get it.
We must, therefore, as a nation, make quality but subsidized education a human right that will be accessible to all Nigerians irrespective of tribe/ethnicity, sex, religion or creed. And develop the political will to fund education in compliance with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) budgetary recommendation.
Finally, in the words of Kenneth Lowande, a Professor at the University of Michigan, monitoring unelected officials and implementing public policies should be the chief concern of leaders in every democratic government. By overseeing that process, elected officials aim to prevent shirking, corruption, performance failures and policy drift in bureaucracy. Obviously, it will be highly rewarding if the Federal Government monitors and implements such policies in public universities.
Utomi Jerome-Mario is the Programme Coordinator (Media and Policy) at Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), Lagos. He can be reached via [email protected]/08032725374
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The N1 trillion scholarship programme of the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) for about 1.3 million Nigerian students has been applauded by the federal government, the state governments and the others.
The scheme was designed to expand access to education and promote academic excellence across Nigeria. Starting in 2026, the initiative will support over 1.3 million students from all 774 local government areas, with N100 billion committed annually for 10 years.
It targets Nigeria’s most vulnerable learners and is structured into three categories: Aliko Dangote STEM Scholars – 30,000 undergraduates in public universities and polytechnics will receive tuition support of up to ₦600,000 per year; Aliko Dangote Technical Scholars – 5,000 TVET trainees will get essential study materials and technical tools; MHF Dangote Secondary School Girls Scholars – 10,000 girls in public schools will receive uniforms, books, and learning supplies, prioritizing states with high out-of-school rates.
The programme would be implemented in partnership with NELFUND, JAMB, NIMC, NUC, NBTE, WAEC, and NECO. It would be based on merit, with beneficiaries chosen through a fully digital system.
Vice President Kashim Shettima praised the organisation for the intervention, saying it demonstrates the critical role of private-sector actors in national development.
He noted that Nigeria’s demographic growth makes urgent investment in education indispensable, warning that “a population becomes a liability only when it is uneducated.”
“Aliko Dangote, through his far-reaching philanthropy, has set in motion the single largest private-sector education support intervention in the history of this country. What he has done here today is a lesson to each of us. This is nation-building in its purest form,” Mr Shettima said.
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, speaking on behalf of the 36 state governors, also commended the initiative and pledged the governors’ full support.
The Minister of Education, Mr Tunji Alausa, described the initiative as “pure human capital development,” saying it aligns with the President Bola Tinubu administration’s education sector renewal plan of transforming Nigeria from resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy and is significant because every local government area will benefit.
He said by the end of the first decade of the execution of the scholarship programme, it is estimated that over 170,000 girl-child would have gone to school.
On his part, Mr Dangote said the intervention is aimed at Nigeria’s most vulnerable learners, noting that financial hardship, not lack of talent, is the primary reason many drop out of school.
“This is not only charity. This is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future. Every child we keep in school strengthens our economy. Every student we support reduces inequality. Every scholar we empower becomes a future contributor to national development.
“Our young people are not asking for handouts. They are asking for opportunities. They are asking for a chance to learn, to grow, to compete and to succeed. And we believe they deserve that chance,” he stated.
“No young person should have their future cut short because of financial hardship. We are stepping forward to ensure students stay in school and pursue their ambitions.
“This initiative is more than financial aid—it is an investment in human capital, with ripple effects on economies, societies, and future generations. When a student gets a scholarship, entire communities stand to benefit,” the business mogul added.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Entries for the Undergraduate Tech Scholarship in Nigeria by Airtel Africa Foundation have opened and applicants can register via candidate.scholastica.ng/schemes/airtelfellowship2025.
This programme forms part of the foundation’s F.E.E.D. agenda, which promotes Financial Empowerment, Education, Environmental Protection, and Digital Inclusion, with a focus on creating pathways for talented young people who face financial barriers.
The scheme, according to a statement from the not-for-profit organisation, provides full tuition, accommodation support, and essential study materials for 100-level students with strong academic potential.
Applications are open to students pursuing courses such as Information Technology, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, and other ICT-related disciplines at participating universities: University of Lagos, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Benin, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ilorin, and Tai Solarin University of Education.
Applicants must be enrolled in 100-level, have scored at least 230 in JAMB, and hold a minimum of five credits in WAEC, including English and Mathematics, in a single sitting.
Required documents include Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) results, university admission letter, West African Examination Council (WAEC) certificate, student identity card, and academic transcript or university results.
Qualified students across the listed institutions have been encouraged to apply and position themselves for a stronger start in the technology sector.
the chairman of Airtel Africa Foundation, Mr Segun Ogunsanya, said the scholarship demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to nurturing Africa’s next generation of digital leaders.
“Young Africans are brimming with talent and ambition. What many need is a fair chance to pursue their education without financial pressure.
“This scholarship reflects our belief that investing in their growth will strengthen communities, empower families, and expand the continent’s digital future,” the former chief executive of Airtel Africa Plc, noted.
On his part, the chief executive of Airtel Nigeria, Mr Dinesh Balsingh, said, “Education is one of the most powerful tools for national development.
“As an organisation, Airtel is determined to build a platform for aspiring young Nigerians to learn, innovate and lead in the country’s expanding technology landscape.”
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Approval has been given to Summit University, Offa, Kwara, to operate a Campus FM Radio State, the chancellor of the higher institution of learning, Mr Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa, said.
Speaking at the combined 5th and 6th convocation ceremony of the school at the Alhaja Adiat Abegbe Makanjuola Lecture Theatre, Mr Adegunwa, who doubles as the chairman of Rite Foods Limited, disclosed that the “notification was received a few days ago.”
“This development will help us reach our community more effectively and position the university as a champion of the knowledge economy.
“It will empower us to combat knowledge, poverty and the rising challenge of misinformation in society,” he noted.
He also identified investment in quality education as a catalyst for sustainable socio-economic development, adding that the dedication and financial commitment of stakeholders have continued to strengthen the university’s foundation and growth trajectory.
He appealed to well-meaning individuals to support the institution in its drive for sustainable development.
“This event marks a key milestone for our university. It honours our graduates and celebrates our shared success. An investment in knowledge pays the best dividend. The journey we have embarked upon with Summit University stands as one of the most rewarding investments.
“Our dividend from this investment is not only for today; it is also for posterity. Let us join hands to lift Summit University high, open doors to quality education, and change the world for the better,” he said.
Reflecting on the institution’s progress, the chancellor noted that the school has experienced remarkable growth since he assumed office as the pioneer chancellor in December 2023.
“Since the last convocation, undergraduate programmes have increased from eight to 16. Additionally, six academic programmes recently underwent reaccreditation, and full accreditation was secured from the National Universities Commission (NUC).
“I commend the university management, governing council, and board of trustees. The growth we see today is a testament to your hard work and strategic planning. Your commitment has strengthened the foundation of this university,” he said.
Mr Adegunwa highlighted the significant infrastructural advancement that had taken place in the University since its last convocation ceremony in 2023, adding that foundation for four major building was laid and one was already completed and ready for use while two were nearing completion.
“At this point, I sincerely appreciate Mosun Belo-Olusoga and other donors whose support continues to strengthen this university. Your generosity is a catalyst for our progress. May Almighty Allah bless you abundantly,” he said, revealing that preparations were underway for the verification of the university’s resources for new programmes in the College of Law and the College of Health Sciences.
“All documentation and agreements have been concluded, and we are hopeful that by the next convocation, both colleges will be fully operational,” he disclosed.
At the convocation ceremony, the school conferred honorary doctorate degrees (Honoris Causa) on Aderemi Muyideen Makanjuola and Lateefat Olufunke Gbajabiamila, as well as a posthumous honorary doctorate degree in Business Administration on the late Tiamiyu Adebisi Olatinwo, among other awardees.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer, Prof. Abiodun Musa Aibinu expressed appreciation to the Chancellor for donating the ongoing Senate Building project, which he said is now 30 per cent completed, noting that upon completion, the structure would significantly enhance the university’s infrastructure.
He announced that a total of 319 students graduated: 26 with first-class honours, 164 with second-class upper division, 108 with second-class lower division, 25 with third-class, and one with a pass.
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