Osodeke: Children of the poor will withdraw from schools due to fees hike

Emmanuel Osodeke, president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has urged the federal government to review the hike in fees of some public schools.

Osodeke asked the government to find a safe landing for the nation’s future leaders.

He added that the hike in fees could be counterproductive.

The federal government increased the fees for newly admitted students of unity schools to N100,000.

On Friday, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) announced an adjustment in the fees for both returning and new students of the institution.

The development comes amid soaring food inflation and high cost of living in the country.

“I think the whole thing now boils down to the parents. These have been part of our agitations. We were fighting on the need to right some wrongs, but rather than get support, we were attacked,” NAN quotes Osodeke as saying.

“It may interest you to know that UNILAG is not the only tertiary institution that has hiked fees in recent times.

“The likes of Bayero University Kano, Benin and Abuja, among others, have all done the same. What this will translate to, is for children of the poor to withdraw from schools.

“However, we should be mindful of the inherent danger that may accompany such development, when it comes to vices, especially among youth. It could become a willing pool to recruit from. It is indeed sad.

“We hope the current administration will review the whole situation and find a safe landing for these our future leaders.

“Government could set up a high-powered commission, made up of people of integrity and brain, to review all the issues as it concerns the country’s education sector. And like I said, it has been done in the past.”

In another reaction to the development, a UNILAG student who did not want to be named, called on Nigerians to prevail on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene.

The 400 level student of the faculty of engineering, said the hike in fees could mean the end of his academic pursuit.

“I used to do menial jobs to see myself through school, especially during vacation. Sometimes I do night guard in some establishments around,” he said.

“My parents are both not too strong and hence I took up the challenge to do something for myself, so that at the end, I will be able to take care of my siblings and my parents too.

“Should I just allow all I have been able to achieve getting to this level go down the drain? I may not be able to stand this.”