The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called on the Federal Government to review the hike in fees in universities across the country.
ASUU also urged the government to find a safe landing for the nation’s future leaders.
ASUU, in reaction to the recent hike in fees of Unity Colleges and some public tertiary institutions in the country, by its president, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, on Sunday, said the hike in fees could be counterproductive.
It would be recalled that the University of Lagos (UNILAG) recently increased its fees from N25,000 to almost N200,000, depending on the programme.
The university had announced an adjustment in the obligatory fees for both returning and new students of the institution, with effect from September 1, 2023, for the 2023/2024 academic session.
Osodeke, however, said the best way out to issues was to adopt a holistic approach, noting that policies should be people-centred.
The ASUU President said: “I think the whole thing now boils down to the parents. These have been part of our agitations. We were fighting on the need to right some wrongs, but rather than get support, we were attacked.
“It may interest you to know that UNILAG is not the only tertiary institution that has hiked fees in recent times.
“The likes of Bayero University Kano, Benin, and Abuja among others, have all done the same. What this will translate to, is for children of the poor to withdraw from school.
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“However, we should be mindful of the inherent danger that may accompany such development, when it comes to vices, especially among youth. It could become a willing pool to recruit from. It is indeed sad.
“We hope the current administration will review the whole situation and find a safe landing for these our future leaders.
“Government could set up a high-powered commission, made up of people of integrity and brain, to review all the issues, as it concerns the country’s education sector. And like I said, it has been done in the past.”
Also reacting, one of the students of the institution who pleaded anonymity, called on well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene on the situation.
The 400-level student of the Faculty of Engineering said the hike in fees could mean the end of his academic pursuit as he was responsible for his education.
The student said: “I used to do menial jobs to see myself through school, especially during vacation. Sometimes I do night guard in some establishments around.
“My parents are both not too strong and hence I took up the challenge to do something for myself, so that at the end, I will be able to take care of my siblings and my parents too.
“Even before now, it has not been easy. With the current increase, what do I do, where do I start from, who do I run to. Should I just allow all I have been able to achieve getting to this level go down the drain? I may not be able to stand this.”
A prospective student, who gave her name simply as Mercy, said her parents were already having a second thought concerning her joining the institution, following the increase in fees.
According to her, the situation has thrown the family into confusion, as it is becoming increasingly clear that her parents may not be able to meet up with such demands, considering the current economic realities in the country.
Mercy, who had been given placement in the institution to study Pharmacy, noted that she may lose the opportunity and opt for skills acquisition.
“My parents had supported me to this stage and were positive about seeing me through the university, even from their meagre resources but with this current hike in fees, it is clear that my dreams for academic progression may no longer materialise,” she said.
