Complaints As University Of Abuja Increases Tuition Fees

Some students of the University of Abuja on Wednesday has lamented the decision of the school authorities to increase their tuition fees.

This is as some of the students took to micro-blogging platform, Twitter, to lament the increment which they called ”unfair” and  “unjust” in protest.

According to one of the students, some of them had been finding it difficult to gather money for payment of the former fees as a result of the economic situation in the country but were sad to learn of the new hike in fees.

“Some of us are still struggling to make sure that our fees are complete and then we heard of the increment. There is economic hardship in this country. Where do they expect us to get the money to pay? Some of the people who spoke to the Vice Chancellor said the school explained that they needed money to construct some buildings; who will use the buildings if we cannot pay our school fees?”

Another student added that the constant increment in fees was alarming as it also happened in 2020.

She said; “The fees were increased in 2020. The funny thing is that new students have two weeks to pay. This is a federal university and not a private school, why is the school always increasing its fees?”

However, the spokesperson for the university, Dr. Habib Yakoob, explained that the increment was a slight one. He added that the university could no longer depend on the government for funds.

According to him, “The increment is not that significant; it was a slight increment but you see, no matter what anybody says, there would not be enough justification for why it is increased because even one kobo might not be affordable for our students. So, we sympathise with them but do remember that even some of our lecturers and other members of staff also have their children here, So, everybody is involved.

“The University of Abuja is driving towards being a world-class university; a lot of developments have been taking place. We cannot also rely on the government for funds for the good things that the vice chancellor, the university management will want to carry out. So many projects and development are going on. So, with all of these, it requires some money and everybody is being taxed, not only the students. And it is just a slight review. There were consultations, it is not that the vice chancellor just woke up and decided to increase the fees,” he added.