As UNILAG jacks tuition from N19k to N190k
Stephen Ukandu, Umahi
As Nigerians are yet to recover from the shock of the fuel price hike, the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education, has increased the school fees of new students into Federal Government Colleges otherwise known as Federal Unity Schools from N45,000 to ₦100,000.
This is as the Management of the University of Lagos ( UNILAG), has reportedly jacked its tuition fee from N19,000 to N190,250.
The hike in the school fees of Unity Schools was contained in a directive from the Office of the Director of Senior Secondary Education Department of the Federal Ministry of Education, with reference number ADF/120/DSSE/I, addressed to all Principals of Federal Unity Colleges.
According to the circular entitled, “Approved fees/ charges for Federal Unity Colleges (1st Term) for new students,“ signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, new students are expected to part with ₦100,000 instead of the previous N45,000.
The circular read in part: “The latest fees/charge increment will affect virtually all aspects and activities of the school, including tuition and boarding fees, uniform, text books, deposit, exercise books, prospectus, caution fee, ID card, stationery, clubs and societies, sports, extra lesson, insurance, et al.
“Please be informed that the ministry has approved only the underlisted fees and charges for all Unity Colleges.”
In a related development, the increase in UNILAG’s tuition was contained in a statement dated July 20, 2023, by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, UNILAG branch, following a meeting with the top management staff.
The union, in the statement, said the VC stated that fees would be increased for UNILAG undergraduate students.
According to the circular, 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.
SSANU said the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola met with representatives of the three non-academic staff unions on Thursday, July 20th to discuss issues concerning members’ welfare.
“During the meeting, the proposed fees for undergraduate students of UNILAG were disclosed.
“Students without lab and studio use will pay N100,750, those with lab use will pay N140,250 and the college of medicine would pay N190,250,” the statement said.
SSANU representative at the meeting, Rasaki Yusuf, was said to have asked for a rebate for staff members with children in the university but the VC reportedly insisted that the new charges were set nationally and could not be altered.
