ASUU President Warns Hike in Fees Will Increase Crime Rate Amongst Students

On Sunday in Lagos, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, National President, Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, urged the Federal Government to review the hike in fees in its schools.

In an interview with News Agency of Nigeria, Mr Osodeke was spoke against the backdrop of the recent hike in fees of Unity Colleges and some first-generation public tertiary institutions in the country.

Recall that the University of Lagos was the latest of the public universities to increase its fees from N25,000 to almost N200,000, depending on programme.

The university had announced an adjustment in the obligatory fees for both returning and new students of the institution, with effect from September 1, for the 2023/2024 academic session.

Mr Osodeke said that the best way out to issues was to adopt a holistic approach, noting that policies should be people-centred.

“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.

“It may interest you to know that UNILAG is not the only institution that has hiked it’s fees, 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 school.

“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.