Parents and students in federal government owned tertiary institutions and colleges may be subjected to more hardship as the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has increased its tuition from about N20,000 to over N100,000 depending on the course of study. The new tuition ranges from N100,750 to N190,250 depending on whether the course of study requires laboratory or studio work or if the student is in the college of medicine.
Similarly the new Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has increased the school fees of new students into Federal Government Colleges otherwise known as Federal Unity Colleges to ₦100,000. This was contained in a directive from the Office of the Director of Senior Secondary Education Department of the Federal Ministry of Education, reference number ADF/120/DSSE/I, dated 25th May, 2023, and addressed to all Principals of Federal Unity Colleges.
Specifically, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola held a meeting with the representatives of non-teaching staff unions on July 20, 2023, at the Senate Committee Chamber of the school. During the meeting, Ogunsola disclosed the proposed fees for undergraduate students of the school. A statement issued by the school’s chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) said during the meeting that lasted approximately three hours, the “proposed fees for undergraduate students at Unilag were disclosed. Students without lab or studio use would pay N100,750, those with lab use would pay N140,250, and college of medicine undergraduates would pay N190,250.
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For the Unity Schools, according to the circular titled “Approved fees/ charges for Federal Unity Colleges (1st Term) for new students,” signed by Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, the Director of Senior Secondary Education, the new students will now be required to pay ₦100,000 instead of the previous fee of N45,000. The increased fees will encompass various aspects and activities of the school, including tuition and boarding fees, uniforms, textbooks, deposits, exercise books, prospectus, caution fees, ID cards, stationery, clubs and societies, sports, extra lessons, insurance, and more. “The latest fees/charge increment will affect virtually all aspects and activities of the school, including tuition and boarding fees, uniform, textbooks, 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,” the memo read.