The Federal Ministry of Education has raised the school fees for new students enrolling in Federal Unity Colleges from N45,000 to N100,000.
A circular issued to the Principals of the colleges by the Office of the Director of Senior Secondary Education Department of the Federal Ministry of Education stated that the new fees would affect various aspects and activities of the school, including tuition, boarding, uniforms, textbooks, and more.
The circular, signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, listed the approved fees and charges for all Unity Colleges, stating that the N100,000 fee includes school fees, identification card, stationery, lessons, insurance, security, ICT, utilities, among others.
In addition to the increase in fees at Unity Colleges, some federal universities have also raised their tuition fees significantly.
Reports indicate that the University of Maiduguri in Borno State increased medical students' fees from N100,000 to N238,000 and law students' fees from N26,000 to around N104,000.
Uthman Danfodiyo University in Sokoto increased fees for law students from N56,000 to N86,300 for final-year students and raised medical students' fees from N60,000/N70,000 to N109,000.
Bayero University in Kano State proposed a new tuition fee structure for the 2022/2023 academic session, with law students facing an increase from N39,000 to N105,000.
Meanwhile, the University of Benin in Edo State raised tuition fees for students from N69,000-N74,000 to N170,000-N190,000.
Similarly, the University of Lagos hiked medical students' fees from N19,000 to N190,250, while courses not requiring laboratory and studio use are fixed at N100,750, and those with lab use pay N140,250.
These fee increases have sparked public outcry as they come at a time when Nigerians are already facing economic challenges, including fuel subsidy removal and unified exchange rates that have affected the cost of living.
While President Bola Tinubu has announced a Student Loan Scheme to assist indigent students, the rising fees have raised concerns about access to quality education for many. The situation has prompted discussions on the affordability and accessibility of higher education in the country.