Suspend implementation of universities’ fee hike- Reps tell NUC

The House of Representatives has urged the National Universities Commission (NUC) to suspend the implementation of an increase in the tuition fees of universities.

Aliyu Sani Madaki, (NNPP-Kano) raised the motion at plenary on Tuesday.

SOLACEBASE reports that Madaki who noted that the universities that hiked their fees include Bayero University, Kano; the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; the University of Uyo; University of Maiduguri; Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike; and Federal University, Dutse, among others.

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Lawmakers in the green chamber were concerned that the hike in fees by the universities was happening against the worsening poverty level in the country, inflation, high rate of unemployment, and the recent fuel price hike.

They feared that the increase could cause disruptions for a number of students who could not afford the fees and that while many of them would be forced to defer their studies, others could drop out entirely.

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The lawmakers also noted that the hike might aggravate the already volatile situation in the country as students were already making threats which could lead to an uprising against the Federal Government, with grievous consequences for the country as a whole.

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The House also asked the Federal Government to reverse the recent hike of school fees in Unity secondary schools.