Let Students Pay it – Lecturer backs FG plan to hike Students Tuition Fees

UNIBEN Lecturer Reacts

According to the UNIBEN lecturer, who pleaded anonymity, ASUU has done enough for Nigerian students over the years.

In his words:

“Let the students pay. We have fought for them for far too long. What have they done to support us?

The government blames ASUU for fighting for students. The consequences of this fight, among others, include non-payment of our promotion allowances and other earned academic allowances.

Meanwhile, our salary has not been increased since 2009. Therefore, it is time to allow the government to run the schools the best it can.”

Education Stakeholders Reject the Alleged Plan

Despite the lecturer’s position, education stakeholders across the country have strongly rejected the alleged move by the Federal Government to increase tuition to ₦750,000.

Speaking in separate interviews with The Nation, stakeholders described the proposal as dangerous and insensitive, considering the current economic situation in Nigeria.

Parents’ Body Calls for Caution

The Deputy National President of the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), Adeolu Ogunbanjo, urged the Federal Government to abandon the idea.

According to him:

“Federal Government should not do such now with the increasing cost of commodities.

It means the government wants to impoverish average parents who cannot afford private universities and those striving to send their children to federal and state institutions.

Federal Government should temper justice with mercy and refrain from doing that. Petrol price has just been increased, diesel price is also high and prices of commodities have doubled.

Be that as it may, the Federal Government proposing a hike in tuition fees would be totally insensitive.

I believe Muhammadu Buhari would not want such to happen.”

Edo Education Stakeholder Also Kicks Against the Plan

A major education stakeholder in Benin, Edo State, Kola Edokpayi, also condemned the proposal.

He described the alleged tuition hike as an attempt by the Federal Government to deny children from low-income families access to quality higher education in Nigeria.

Credit: SUNNYGIST, The Nation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Has the Federal Government officially approved ₦750,000 school fees for UNIBEN?

No.
As of now, there is no official announcement from the Federal Government or the University of Benin confirming a ₦750,000 tuition fee. The information remains an allegation raised during a protest by ASUU officials.

Did the University of Benin management announce any new fees?

No.
The report only mentions the personal opinion of an anonymous UNIBEN lecturer. The university authorities have not released any official fee structure or circular regarding such an increase.

Who raised the allegation of a planned ₦750,000 tuition fee?

The allegation was made by Dr. Lazarus Maigoro, Chairman of ASUU, Jos Chapter, during a nationwide protest organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress.

Why is the alleged increase being strongly opposed?

Stakeholders and parents’ groups argue that:

Nigeria is currently facing high inflation and rising living costs.
Petrol and diesel prices have increased.
Many parents already struggle to pay existing school charges.

They believe such a hike would make public university education unaffordable for average Nigerian families.

Should UNIBEN students expect a change in their school fees soon?

At the moment, UNIBEN students should rely only on official information from the university management.
Until a formal statement or fee schedule is published by the university or the Federal Government, students are advised to treat the ₦750,000 figure as unconfirmed and speculative.