Borno citizens forum condemns hike in tuition fees by UNIMAID
A group under the aegis of Borno Emirate Concerned Citizens Forum (BECCF) in Borno State has expressed dissatisfaction with the increase in tuition fees by the management of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID).
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the forum’s chairman, Amb. Hassan Zanna Boguma, on 9th January 2023.
The statement reads, “The Borno Emirate Concerned Citizens Forum (BECCF) is touched by the excessive increase in tuition fees by the management of the University of Maiduguri.
“Considering the inflationary rate and the current economic realities, it is pertinent to note that none of the parties involved will find it favourable especially parents. Equally, the forum is aware of the financial constraints faced by the University’s Management, the country, and the world in general.
“As we are all aware, the Federal Government of Nigeria has shown a reluctant attitude towards the funding of university education and other related tertiary institutions. This might lead many youths of tertiary-level age not to gain access to university education.
“The plight and protection of a common man appear to be dampened by some unpatriotic individuals. We at Borno Emirate Concerned Citizens Forum are aware of the unrelenting efforts of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to make successive governments fund the system against their welfare, but their quest has been futile and it lingers in the minds of every right-thinking individual.
“To the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the forum is aware of the overspilling concern shown by the Academic Staff Union of Universities in making sure that the children of a common man can afford a better university education.
“We are not unaware of the fact that the union has sacrificed enough and is still willing on behalf of the common man to persuade the authorities to revitalise the university system. The university Dons have paid the supreme price by enduring over eight months without salary, simply to make the government to pay more attention and invest in the university system.
“The Federal Ministry of Labour and the FG should as matter of urgency release the unpaid salaries of university staff. As we observed, the contractual agreement between them does not only stop at classroom teaching but research, innovation, and community services inclusive.
“To the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) on ASUU, instead of dampening the morale and motivation of lecturers by refusing to pay their salaries and other emoluments, it is absolutely necessary for the FG to ensure increments of the budgetary allocation reflects the educational spending threshold/standard set by the United Nations.
“The forum expressed dismay at how smaller African countries adhere to the global best practice of 26 % budgetary allocation to education, while the giant of Africa cannot. We are assuming that heeding this advice will ensure quality education at all levels.
“To the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), we call on the students to be law-abiding and should not take the law into their hands. The forum appeals to the students to stay calm and shun any form of violent protests while reacting to the hike in school fees.
“The forum believed that the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Unimaid is law-abiding and is fully aware of the security challenges in the state.
“To the University Management, we genuinely plead with them to consider a downward review of the increments. And call on them to create an avenue to relieve parents from the burden of payments at once and instead give the grace of instalmental payments in two terms/semesters, bearing in mind the current economic hardship faced by all.
“The Learning Management System portal can be effectively and efficiently deployed to interface with parents, students, lecturers, and the management to monitor and forestall control of defaulters.
“To All the parties involved, we hope and pray that all the stakeholders involved in this business should assume the expected role in arriving at the desired ground. We anticipate a favourable outcome,” the statement stated.
