"Some Have Paid it Already": Students React as UNILAG Hikes Tuition Fees from N19,000 to N190,250

• The management of the University of Lagos, popularly known as UNILAG, has been urged to rethink its decision to increase tuition fees
• UNILAG is a prestigious public research university located in Lagos state, southwest Nigeria
• In interviews with Legit.ng, students commented on the proposed tuition fees for undergraduates, saying the amount is too much

Yaba, Lagos state - Students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have called on the management of the learning institute to reconsider their decision to increase tuition fees.

Recall that UNILAG recently made a significant announcement, revealing its decision to raise tuition fees for students, The Punch reported.

School fees increase: UNILAG students bare thoughts

The vice chancellor (VC) of UNILAG, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, disclosed this development during a meeting held with representatives of non-teaching staff unions on Thursday, July 20, at the Senate Committee Chamber of the university.

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According to the VC, the fees were set nationally.

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, a report by Nigerian Tribune noted.

Some UNILAG undergraduates spoke to Legit.ng regarding the 400% hike.

Aisha 'Koya said:

"Some are complaining, but some have paid the fees already. So you can see that it is all man for himself. May God Almighty help us all."

For another student, who simply identified herself as Denike, the development was "quite unfair".

The 300-level student stated:

"The average salary is nothing to write home about, talk less of having to pay this huge school fee.

"Instead of shocking us this much, they could have at least added it little by little, not just drop this huge amount on us.

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"Public education/schools is at its lowest in this country already, but at least it was giving people hope. If I am educated with a certificate to prove, I could do things differently.

"Now we are being denied that with this ridiculous system."

Denike also disagreed with people comparing countries.

She said:

"Some people are saying other nations pay just as much for their public schools. But I'd say they are ridiculously ignorant."

Another UNILAG spoke to Legit.ng, but she doesn't want to be named at all.

Reacting to the hike, she said it "is a subject of great concern" as it is "exorbitant".

Her words:

"While I understand the necessity for some adjustments, I find the extent of the increase to be exorbitant. It is essential to remember that UNILAG is a federal university, and as such, it should be treated with consideration and in line with its public institution status."

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She continued:

"It is of great importance to acknowledge that a significant number of students who enroll at UNILAG do so due to financial limitations. If they had the means to afford private university fees, they would have likely pursued that option from the beginning. The reality is that many students are already struggling to meet the previous fee of 19,000 Naira, and expecting them to pay nearly ten times that amount, at 190,000 Naira, is a tremendous burden."

Furthermore, the student noted that what is more disturbing is the apparent lack of empowerment or support for the students to cope with such a drastic change. Without proper assistance or financial aid, it becomes even more challenging for these students to continue their education and fulfill their potential, she lamented.

She, therefore, urged the school authorities to reconsider the tuition fee hike, taking into account the diverse backgrounds of their students and the social impact it may have.

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She said:

"A more balanced and inclusive approach that considers the economic realities of the students and provides necessary support to mitigate the financial strain would be both fair and compassionate."

She concluded:

"Education is the cornerstone of societal progress, and we must ensure that our educational institutions remain accessible and nurturing spaces for all students, regardless of their financial circumstances.

"By doing so, we uphold the principles of equitable education and contribute to a brighter future for both individuals and the nation as a whole."

Man who has 2 sisters in UNILAG posts statistics of their new fees

In related news, Legit.ng reported that a Nigerian man, Pamilerin Adegoke, revealed how much his sisters at UNILAG will pay as school fees.

Pamilerin said he has two sisters in UNILAG, and they would have to pay more now. He said one of them would pay N100,750 instead of N16k.

A brief statistic posted on Twitter by Pamilerin indicates that the second one will now have to pay N140,250 instead of N21k.

Source: Legit.ng