Naijafavourite
President Tinubu has directed that all tertiary institutions in Nigeria should stop increasing tuition fees. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) supports this decision, stating that they now have the power to shut down any school that raises fees. However, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) disagrees, arguing that the president should focus on providing financial support to universities instead of giving direct orders. According to ASUU, the reason for the mandatory fees is that universities do not receive enough funding from the federal government. President Tinubu has also approved the removal of restrictions on student loans.
President Tinubu’s directive regarding the hike in tuition fees in tertiary institutions has received differing reactions from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
NANS expressed joy and satisfaction with the development, while the Lagos State University chapter of ASUU stated that the president is neglecting the crucial needs of the universities.
As previously reported, President Bola Tinubu recently instructed federal tertiary institutions to avoid arbitrary fee increases and, if possible, postpone further increases to alleviate difficulties faced by parents and students.
The president also approved the removal of restrictions on students’ loans to ensure easy accessibility for students. In addition, buses will be provided to student bodies in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country, thereby addressing concerns over increased transportation costs.
NANS Vice-President, Akinteye Afeez, expressed satisfaction with the development, emphasizing that schools that increase fees or refuse to revert to the previous system can be shut down by students.
However, Prof. Kayode Adebayo, Chairman of ASUU at the University of Lagos, disagreed with Afeez’s stance, stating that stopping fee hikes is not the solution to the universities’ problems. He emphasized that universities are not funded by the federal government and suggested that Tinubu should announce financial subventions for the universities instead of issuing direct orders.
Adebayo highlighted the importance of funding universities, as they do not receive any support from the federal government.
