Reps Order Probe of School Fee Hikes, Urge FG to Intervene

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to suspend recent increases in fees charged by public tertiary institutions, warning that the hikes could undermine the objectives of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

The House also directed its committees on University Education, Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education, and Federal Colleges of Education to investigate the circumstances surrounding the increases and determine whether they are justified.

The resolutions followed a motion sponsored by Hon. Ifeoluwa Ehindero, who raised concerns over reports that some public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education had increased tuition fees and other mandatory charges by more than 100 per cent.

Ehindero said the increases were implemented without broad consultations or adequate consideration of the economic challenges facing Nigerian families.

The lawmakers noted that education is critical to national development and that Section 18 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, obliges the government to promote equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels.

They observed that NELFUND was established to provide interest-free loans to eligible students, enabling them to access tertiary education without being held back by financial constraints.

Advertisement

However, the House warned that sudden and excessive fee increases could undermine the loan scheme, particularly if the adjustments were not adequately considered in its funding framework.

It further cautioned that unchecked hikes could create disparities in loan allocation, disproportionately affect students from low-income families and increase the risk of school dropouts and campus unrest.

The lawmakers also warned that the development could erode public confidence in the government’s commitment to making tertiary education affordable and accessible.

To address the situation, the House urged the Federal Government to increase financial support to public tertiary institutions to reduce their reliance on internally generated revenue from student charges.

It also called on the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission to engage institutional managements on suspending the increases and conducting a comprehensive review of their fee structures in line with prevailing economic realities.

The relevant House committees are expected to investigate the reasons for the increases and determine whether the adjustments are justified.

Advertisement

The proposed intervention is aimed at protecting students’ access to higher education and ensuring that rising institutional charges do not defeat the objectives of NELFUND, especially for students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.

FOLLOW BIGPEN NIGERIA - Get Breaking News Alerts

📱

WhatsApp

f

Facebook

X

X