Nigerian Education Sector: The Mess Keeps Compounding
Adeniran Stephen Tolulope
Months back, I wrote to discuss about the deteriorating condition of the Nigerian Education Sector. Still it keeps on deteriorating. Should we just based the condition on the motive that we have also a Economic Problem in this country? In that very article, there were different issues affecting the education system of the country, and it also states some disturbing situation of academic infrastructure, particularly in OAU. Sometimes, it seems frustrating to have students studying in some buildings of the University.
Months ago, students attending Federal Universities in Nigeria received an exciting message from the Federal Government. They were informed that they could apply for loans to cover their school fees, with the expectation that they would repay the loans after graduation. This news initially brought optimism, but it quickly turned into disappointment when the government instructed the Federal Universities to raise their respective school fees. This sudden increase caught many students off guard and sparked widespread protests.
One particular incident took place at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) where students organized a protest last week in response to the fee hike. Likewise, students at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) are currently in a state of panic upon discovering the recently released breakdown of school fees. The high cost of education at OAU has come as a surprise to many, given the university's reputation. These fee hikes have resulted in widespread lamentation among students, who have united in solidarity to express their discontent. It is important to note that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has also repeatedly raised concerns and demanded certain privileges. The promise to grant autonomy to Universities made to ASUU have been stated again, and has generated surprise and intrigue among the Nigerians.
Overall, the recent events surrounding the increase in tuition fees at Federal Universities have sparked protests and raised concerns among students who were initially hopeful about the government's loan program.. On a normal day, no one would have expected OAU school fees to be very much high. Certainly, the recent hike in tuition fees at Federal Universities has become a topic of discussion not only within WhatsApp groups but also on platforms like Twitter. In light of the current situation, students are calling for a decrease in the fee hike or even a complete reversal, as they see this as the solution to the problem at hand.
However, the ongoing protests have become somewhat perplexing as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has joined in, along with parents. This raises questions because one of ASUU's key demands has been the autonomy of universities, and it is assumed that their members attend every Senate meeting of the universities. This leaves us wondering about ASUU's reasons for participating in the protests. It is worth mentioning that Nigerians vividly remember when ASUU went on an 8-month strike last year, pressing the federal government for university autonomy, among other demands.
Looking ahead to the future, should we expect students to still sit on the floor to receive lectures? Should we assume that Lecturers are not going to send out students for coming out late to classes? All these happened in the past due to the fact that they have not been paid for their allowances, and may be due to the Federal Government not responding to their demands. Furthermore, these same students will likely be asked to pay another amount of fees after having paid the initial amount. Furthermore, frustrated Lecturers may even deliberately fail students due to some misconceptions. As the future approaches, should students anticipate all of these events? It is important to note that these students come from poor households, some are struggling financially, and some have been sponsored or received a scholarship to attend university. Although some are at an advantage, the increase in fees will still have an impact on them.
Speaking on Rave FM, the OAU's Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abiodun Olanrewaju, said that students have been complaining about the lack of chemicals and apparatuses in labs for practicals, which is why the university had to raise fees to cover these costs. Obviously, students are fighting for their right to free education, but does it really make sense to say that federal university students have to pay almost ₦150,000 because they want a free education? That's the free education that the government always promised.
In Nigeria, it is estimated that more than 40,000 students graduate annually from federal universities. However, the question of where they will find employment remains a persistent issue. Universities' administrations are often expected to consider the consequences of their decisions on students. Many of these students are still in a state of panic, questioning if they will be able to continue their studies due to the increase in tuition fees. There are even some students who have stated that attending a State-owned university with such a large tuition fee would have enabled them to obtain a degree and graduate from the university.
Adeniran Tolulope is a student of Physics Department, OAU, reach him through Sensiblepta@gmail.com
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