The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene immediately to persuade the administrations of the country’s major federal universities to abandon plans to raise students’ school fees and levies.
If this appeal is ignored and schools raise their tuition and wish to compel implementation, the students will go on a nationwide strike and remain on the streets until their demand is met.
NANS made this appeal in a statement released on Saturday by its Public Relations Officer, Mr Giwa Temitope.
According to NANS, the increase in school fees announced by the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka on Friday, as well as the planned increases by other federal universities across the country and even federal government colleges, demonstrate that the current administration is insensitive to the plights of most Nigerians who are facing difficult times.
“It is most ridiculous that the government will introduce fee increases without thinking of rescuing the over 133 million Nigerians from multi-dimensional poverty,” the organisation added.
“We believe that increasing school fees will exacerbate the poverty of most parents and students, as well as increase the number of out-of-school children in the country.”
“Previously, some students could not afford the fees and various other levies and dropped out of school; what would now happen to students who are sponsoring themselves and their parents who have more than one child in school?”
“As an association, we believe that if there is political will, the Nigerian government has what it takes to massively fund education and make it accessible.”
“In fact, the Federal Government’s introduction of student loans is nothing more than a sham and a bait to entice Nigerians to accept fee increases.”
“Aside from the fact that the loan terms are absurd, history has taught us that not every applicant will be considered.”
“Even if all of this is taken into account, it does not justify fee increases in an economy like ours with a high unemployment rate.”
“Rather than loans, the government should now provide grants and scholarships.”
“Our demand is therefore clear and simple: tell all schools that have decided to raise their fees to suspend such plans, and those that have already announced them to reverse them with immediate effect.”
“Otherwise, we will launch an all-out protest until the Federal Government reverses the policy.”
