University Education: Falana Warns Against Fees Hike

Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, has warned the federal government not to hike fees in public-owned universities in the country.

The rights lawyer gave the warning following the recent increase in fees paid by students of some universities.

He also spoke after the federal government said university autonomy is one of its priorities.

This, according to analysts, means that the government no longer want to fund public owned universities.

The University of Lagos, UNILAG, has recently jerked up its tuition and other fees by over 70 percent but was forced to reduce the fees by barely 20 percent after the students shut down the school for days.

At the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile Ife Osun state, the school authority, and the student union are still at loggerheads after the varsity increased fees for incoming and old students.

Other universities are set to increase their fees in a matter of time, according to those close to university management authorities in the country.

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, the umbrella body for student unions in the country has kicked against the hike in fees for public-run higher institutions.

Speaking on Arise television on Sunday, Falana said it is wrong to commercialize education in the country, citing section 18 of the 1999 Constitution which provides that education from primary to the university levels must be free in the country.

The federal government has cited the paucity of funds for its failure to provide education free of charge in the country, but Falana said there are enough resources to provide free education, adding that the government must make it a priority.

He also lamented the exodus of educated young Nigerians abroad, saying the trend seems not to bother the government.

“How can you spend money to train your own citizens to serve other governments?” Falana said.

With the current situation in the country, the SAN stated that poor people will not be able to afford education for their children.

He said: “What is the way forward? We need to make three percent of the profit of every company go into funding of education. Again, under the UBE Act, the Compulsory Free Education Act provides that state government will contribute counterpart funding to the money released by federal government for Universal Basic Education.

“So every Nigerian child from primary to junior secondary school should be educated at the expense of the state. If the law is implemented we would not have our children roaming the street.”