Unaffordable Academia: The harsh reality of Nigeria’s tuition hikes
In Nigeria, the predicament faced by students in higher institutions has escalated to a critical juncture, characterised by a combination of persistent strikes, crumbling infrastructure, and now, the formidable obstacle of exorbitant tuition fee hikes.
Renowned institutions like the Tai Solarin University of Education, the University of Lagos, and Obafemi Awolowo University, Federal Polytechnicnic, Ilaro, D.S Adegbenro polytechnics among others have recently implemented substantial fee increases, prompting a wave of student protests.
As the educational landscape in Nigeria becomes increasingly tumultuous, the plight of these students demands urgent attention and resolution.
The universities argue that they have no choice but to increase fees due to reduced funding and rising expenses. In a country where the minimum wage is only N30,000 per month, these fee hikes threaten to exclude many students, especially those from less privileged backgrounds, from accessing higher education.
This could have devastating consequences for their future prospects.For example, TASUED has raised its fees by an astonishing 200 to 300 percent. UNILAG, citing the escalating costs of essential services such as hostel maintenance, electricity (which alone costs N1.7 billion annually), internet connectivity, and other administrative expenses, has increased its tuition from N19,000 to N190,500.
These fee increases place an immense burden on students and their families, who are already struggling to make ends meet. Higher education should be accessible to all, regardless of their financial background.
It is crucial for the government and university authorities to find alternative solutions to address the funding challenges faced by these institutions, without placing the burden solely on the students.
It is essential to prioritise the needs of students and ensure that they have the opportunity to pursue their academic aspirations without being hindered by exorbitant fees.
Nigerian universities are increasing their tuition fees, with some universities proposing to raise fees by up to 200 percent.
The University of Lagos has announced a fee increase from N14,500 to N67,048 for the 2021/2022 academic year. Similarly, the University of Jos and Bayero University, Kano, have also announced fee increments.
The University of Ibadan is considering raising its fees to N213,500 and N318,000, up from N121,000 and N173,850, for the 2022/2023 academic year. These fee hikes do not even account for additional student expenses such as meals, textbooks, project work, and miscellaneous costs, making the financial burden even more overwhelming.This situation is a stark indication of the inadequate funding of education by Nigeria’s federal and state governments.
Despite owning 52 universities, the Federal Government fails to provide sufficient financial support. Moreover, it continues to establish new universities, often perceived as a means to gain political favor rather than to genuinely improve the education sector.
Over the past decade, despite the establishment of numerous specialized universities, the government has neglected to fulfill its financial commitments outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Academic Staff Union of Universities in 2009, which included N1.2 trillion for revitalisation and salary increases.
This neglect has exacerbated the financial strain on the country’s higher education system, leading to the current crisis.
The administration led by Bola Tinubu recently initiated a policy to automatically withhold 40 percent of the internally generated revenues from federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
This move is expected to exacerbate the existing educational crisis. Nigeria holds the unfortunate position of having the world’s second-largest population of children not attending school, with 20.1 million children out of school, according to UNESCO.
In a recent development that has caught the attention of the Students’ Solidarity Group Against Fee Hike, reports have emerged that the government led by President Tinubu has rescinded its controversial directive for universities to remit 40 percent of their internally generated revenue (IGR).
This decision, initially seen as a financial strain on the educational institutions, was met with widespread criticism and resistance from students, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and the public at large.
The announcement, which was initially received with skepticism, has now been confirmed by reputable members of ASUU, leading to a cautious sigh of relief among the academic community.
The student body has lauded the collective efforts that led to this backtrack, highlighting the power of unity in opposing policies perceived as detrimental to the educational sector.
Despite this seeming victory, the Students’ Solidarity Group has expressed reservations about the government’s true intentions.
The group cites previous instances where the government, after removing fuel subsidies under the pretext of reallocating funds to education and infrastructure, failed to follow through on its promises.
Instead, there was a significant increase in educational fees, raising doubts about the fate of the supposed subsidy savings.
The education crisis in Nigeria is affecting all levels of education, from primary to tertiary. Tertiary education is particularly important for economic growth, poverty reduction, and shared prosperity, as it provides a highly skilled workforce for innovation and development in the global knowledge economy.
Therefore, it is crucial to prioritise the revival and strengthening of the education sector. However, there are no easy solutions.
One fundamental step is to stop the establishment of new public tertiary institutions to ensure adequate funding for existing ones. It may also be necessary to discontinue some recently established institutions and integrate their students and faculty into other schools.
Military and paramilitary universities, which are often seen as unnecessary and extravagant, should be the first to be eliminated.Recent spikes in tuition fees have been exorbitant and implemented too abruptly.
Universities should significantly reduce these increases and instead implement gradual fee increments in smaller percentages.
The government must step in and provide adequate funding to public universities, while also implementing measures to improve infrastructure and address the issues that have led to the ongoing strikes.
Additionally, universities should explore alternative sources of revenue generation, such as partnerships with industries and alumni donations, to alleviate the financial strain.
It is crucial to strike a balance between maintaining the quality of education and ensuring affordability for students.The current situation calls for urgent action and collaboration between the government, universities, and student representatives.
It is only through collective efforts that we can overcome these challenges and provide Nigerian students with the education they deserve.
Governments at all levels should provide a variety of funding options for students, including grants, partial and full scholarships, and bursaries.
The Federal Government should expedite the availability of its loan scheme, with state and local governments encouraged to do the same. NGOs, philanthropists, and faith-based organisations should also provide support.
