Some students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have expressed their displeasure over the sudden increase in tuition fees.
The school, in a statement made available on its official website, confirmed the increase in tuition fees for students at the commencement of the 2023/24 academic session.
“After careful deliberations with its stakeholders (students, parents/guardians, staff unions, alumni among others), the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Management has reviewed the obligatory fees (mandatory charges for an academic session/year) of new and returning undergraduate students of the University,” the statement read.
“The adjustment in fees which will take effect from the 1st Semester, 2023/2024 Academic Session, is given the prevailing economic realities and the need for the University to be able to meet its obligations to its students, staff, and municipal service providers among others,” it added.
Further justifying the increase, UNILAG explained that it had not increased its obligatory fee in a long time
“It is also pertinent to note that the University has not increased its obligatory fees in recent years. Management, therefore, seeks the kind understanding and support of students and other stakeholders with the assurance of its commitment towards ensuring that students get the best learning experience,” the statement added.
While the new tuition will have new students that will not be using laboratories to pay N126,325, new students who will be using laboratories will pay N176,325 in their first year.
READ ALSO: UNILAG confirms hike in fees
However, returning students that are not using the school’s laboratories will pay N100,750 and those that make use of the laboratories will pay N140,250.
Also, returning medical students have been asked to pay N190,250 in tuition for the fresh academic session.
Aside from the new tuition, returning students will now be required to pay N20,000 in utility charges and N10,000 for toxicology tests.
Reacting to this latest development, a student of the institution, who simply identified herself as Adeola, described the new fee as discriminatory.
According to her, the new fee was outrageous and will deprive the masses of having access to education.
“This is an attempt to discourage the poor masses from getting educated, and it is discriminatory and unfair,” she said.
Another student, David, described the hike as ill-timed “because the country was already suffering the impact of subsidy removal.”
He however called on President Bola Tinubu-led government to intervene in the situation
Also reacting, some Twitter users wrote: “so as i’m in my finals in unilag , i go pay 100k for school fees when i paid 16k last session?make i sha no first any lecturer enter class, e no go funny.- @temitopepr
“I’m just glad coz I graduated last month. I paid 16k every session for 4 years, that’s a total of 64k for 4 years. Goodluck to the undergraduates that will be paying 100k+, Ire o- @Toyor_pr
“Imagine applying for a student loan and spending years at home before securing a job while some end up on your whatsapp status selling boxers and perfume oil. The most annoying part is most of these students parents voted them in. Damn!- uncle fisayo
