House of Reps urges NUC to suspend university tuition fee hike, citing financial constraints on students

House of Reps urges NUC to suspend university tuition fee hike, citing financial constraints on students

Story from Maimunat Mohammad

The House of Representatives has issued a call to the National Universities Commission (NUC), urging them to halt the implementation of increased tuition fees in universities.

During a plenary session, Aliyu Madaki of NNPP-Kano put forth a motion highlighting the insufficient funding of tertiary education and the country’s escalating inflation.

The motion emphasized that federal universities had raised tuition fees by 100% to 200%, while also increasing hostel fees by 50% to 100%.

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Among the affected institutions are Bayero University, Kano, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, the University of Uyo, the University of Maiduguri, and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, among others.

The House expressed concern regarding the potential impact of the increased fees on students, who may be forced to postpone their studies or drop out altogether due to financial constraints.

Moreover, they warned that the fee hike could exacerbate the already volatile situation in the country, as students may resort to uprising against the government.

Recognizing the paramount importance of tertiary education for national growth and poverty reduction, the House firmly urged the NUC to suspend the fee increase.

Additionally, they mandated the Committee on Tertiary Education and Services to investigate the fee hike and seek lasting solutions for the challenges faced within the higher education sector.