The University of Jos has recently announced a significant increase in school fees, causing a stir among students, parents, and the general public. The school fees have been hiked from the current N45,000 to N213,000, representing an increment of over 300 percent.
According to a new school fees chart signed by the Registrar of the university, the N213,000 fee is applicable to 100 and 200 level students, while 300 level students and above will now pay N160,000.
This marks the second time in recent years that the institution has increased its school fees. In 2017, the school fees were raised from N27,000 to N45,000. Back then, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sabastian Maimako, had cited dwindling budgetary allocations, rising bills, and the need to upgrade materials as reasons for the hike. The decision was said to have been endorsed by parents, alumni, and other stakeholders at a meeting in Jos, where all factors were taken into consideration.
However, it is not clear whether the current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tanko Ishaya, arrived at the new fees increment after similar consultations with the students’ union government, parents, and stakeholders.
The University of Jos is not the only institution to implement such a drastic fee increase. Just a week ago, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) also announced a significant hike in school fees, leading to widespread protests from parents and Nigerians in general. Many are expressing concern about the rising cost of education in the country, which they view as part of a “neoliberal agenda” of the government, making education increasingly unaffordable for the less privileged.
The Take-It-Back movement, a group advocating for affordable education, has voiced its opposition to the current trend of fee hikes in universities, especially when millions of Nigerians are living in abject poverty. They see this as a move to further marginalize the less privileged and limit their access to quality education.
As the situation unfolds, students, parents, and concerned citizens are eagerly awaiting the university’s response to the mounting criticisms and protests against the astronomical increase in school fees. The issue of affordable education remains a significant concern, and the public is closely monitoring developments in this matter.