Emmanuel OchayiThe University of Lagos (UNILAG) has reportedly increased fees for undergraduate students in the institution. This was contained in a statement dated July 20, 2023, by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, UNILAG branch following a meeting with the top management staff.
Recall that the students of the institution previously paid N19,000 but the management has fixed new fees at N190,250 for students studying medicine while for courses that require laboratory and studio, students are to pay N140,250.
In a time of great uncertainty and economic challenges, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) having been faced a significant increase in school fees, this leaves students and their families grappling with the daunting reality of higher education costs. As news of the fee hike spread like wildfire across the campus, students from all walks of life have responded with displeasure over what some referred to as being extreme.
The sudden hike in school fees will pose considerable challenges to the students and their families. Many students come from humble backgrounds, and the increased financial burden threatens to disrupt their education and prospects. The additional expenses have raised concerns about accessibility to quality education, as some students may be forced to drop out due to financial constraints.
And the constraints attached to student loans, many students are already discouraged from taking loans hoping that the tuition fee would be increased which they will sort out themselves but not to this extreme.
Meanwhile, it has been a mix of shock, frustration, and worry over the tuition fee hike in UNILAG. The university administration cited financial constraints and a need to improve the quality of education and infrastructure on campus. However, for many students, the new fees represented an insurmountable burden, potentially jeopardizing their dreams of obtaining a higher education.
After the tuition fee hike was announced and verified on the students’ portal on July 21, some students were disappointed, although expecting the increment due to the increase in the rate of living in the country were was not expecting it to be outrageous and so quick. The students have expressed varying opinions and concerns about the impact of the decision on their education and future aspirations. This move has sparked both support and criticism among the student body.
Ewenla Tomiwa Joseph, a 400-level student from the Department of Business Administration in the Faculty of Management Sciences, shared his disappointment with the sudden fee hike. He acknowledged the challenging economic circumstances but emphasized that federal schools like UNILAG should remain affordable to enable aspiring students from less privileged backgrounds to pursue their dreams. He called for the intervention of both the school authorities and the federal government to find accessible solutions for students facing financial challenges.
He said, “The recent increase in the school fees by the University of Lagos is extreme although we all know the prices of everything have skyrocketed the federal schools use to be one of the places an ordinary manchild can easily go to pursue his/her university dreams but like this, a lot of great dreams might be shattered as not everyone will be able to afford this fee.”
“I advise that the school authorities and federal government should intervene to reduce the fees and make an accessible modality to help students who are faced with challenges of paying this fee”
Also, a 300-level student from the Department of Marine Science, Jeremiah Oyeleye vehemently opposed the fee increment, stressing that UNILAG should prioritize affordability for all students. He called for an official meeting to address the concerns and find a more sustainable approach to financing education.
“I was in awe on reading notifications concerning the increment in school fees for the 2nd time, it is a public school system, and should in no way be operated this way. I believe the federal government and UNILAG decision-making board should be held accountable. As most students that are not able to pay such amounts would be forced to drop out or transfer to cheaper schools which shouldn’t be.
” I think the increase in school in school fees is outrageous, but I understand that the school needs a means of self-oriented financing system. I feel an official meeting, between panels representing students, parents, and the school authority should be set up.
However, Boluwatife Idowu, a 400-level student from the Department of Systems Engineering, acknowledged the potential benefits of the fee increase for education quality but urged the government to invest more in supporting students financially.
He said “I feel it is a welcome development to improve the quality of education in our universities. But also, the FG should do better by pushing more money into the education section – tertiary education to be more specific.
He added that measures are to be applied to bring down the fee to accommodate more students
“I feel measures can be put in place to bring down the fees a bit to accommodate more students who do not have the financial capacity.’ He added
The differing opinions among UNILAG students demonstrate the complexity of the issue and the importance of finding a balance between enhancing the quality of education and ensuring accessibility for all. As the debate continues, the university administration and the federal government may face mounting pressure to reconsider the fee increment and explore viable solutions that prioritize the welfare of the students.
It remains to be seen how the authorities will respond to the student’s reactions and whether there will be further dialogues to address the concerns raised. As the situation unfolds, it is clear that the topic of school fees and access to education will remain a significant point of discussion and advocacy among UNILAG students and the wider community.
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