The recent surge in tuition fees at various universities across Nigeria has raised significant concerns within the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). ASUU believes that this fee increase may force a considerable number of students to abandon their education.
Several public universities have recently hiked their tuition fees, citing the challenging economic conditions in the country as their rationale. While a few institutions have responded to student protests with fee reductions, ASUU’s National President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, remains apprehensive about the ability of parents and guardians to afford these new fees.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics program, Professor Osodeke expressed his concerns. He questioned the propriety of such fee hikes in an economic environment where the minimum wage stands at N30,000 per month, and individuals must contend with rent and transportation expenses.
Professor Osodeke warned that if this trend of imposing heavy fees on students continues unchecked, it could lead to a substantial dropout rate within the next two to three years, affecting between 40 to 50 percent of current students.
He further emphasized that such a scenario could potentially result in these disenfranchised students becoming tools in the hands of those seeking to disrupt the nation’s stability.
In response to these challenges, ASUU’s chief called on the Federal Government to significantly increase its educational budget. He urged an allocation of at least 15 percent of the budget, contrasting this with the previous year’s meager 3.8 percent allocation.
In summary, ASUU voices deep concerns regarding the recent tuition fee hikes in Nigerian universities and warns of a potential dropout crisis if action is not taken. Professor Osodeke’s plea for increased government investment in education underscores the importance of affordable access to higher learning for all, regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds.
