In a development that has stirred widespread concern across Nigeria’s higher education sector, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has officially raised the alarm over the sharp and unprecedented increases in tuition fees at several public universities. The fund, which provides financial assistance to students pursuing tertiary education, has expressed worries that the drastic hikes could undermine students’ access to education and threaten the sustainability of its loan programs.
Tuition Fees Skyrocket: Institutions and Courses Most Affected
According to NELFUND’s internal report, tuition fees at some public universities have increased by up to 521% in a single academic year—a trend experts describe as “unsustainable and alarming.” The universities affected include:
- Ekiti State University (EKSU)
- University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED, Ondo)
- Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH, Oyo/Osun)
- Edo State University, Uzairue
- David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS, Ebonyi)
The increases are most pronounced in professional courses, including Medicine, Nursing, Law, and allied health programs, which have historically had higher fees but are now rising at unprecedented rates.
Examples of Fee Hikes Across Institutions
| University | Course | Previous Fee (₦) | New Fee (₦) | Percentage Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edo State University | Medicine & Surgery | 750,000 | 950,000 | 26.7% |
| Edo State University | Nursing | 600,000 | 850,000 | 41.7% |
| UNIMED, Ondo | Medicine | 780,000 | 1,050,000 | 34.6% |
| LAUTECH | Law | 250,000 | 300,000 | 20% |
| DUFUHS, Ebonyi | Medicine/Allied Health | 900,000 | 1,280,000 | 42% |
| EKSU | Medicine | 720,000 | 1,050,000 | 45.8% |
Experts note that some institutions have even increased fees in non-professional courses by as much as 30%, though the most extreme hikes are concentrated in medicine, nursing, law, and engineering programs.
NELFUND’s Warning: Risks to Students and the Loan Fund
NELFUND has emphasized that these unanticipated hikes pose significant financial and operational challenges:
- Student Access Risk: Students from low- and middle-income families may no longer afford professional courses, even with loan assistance.
- Loan Sustainability: NELFUND’s budget for disbursements was projected based on previous tuition rates. The sudden surge threatens its liquidity and ability to fund all eligible students.
- Increased Default Risk: Students forced to take larger loans due to inflated fees may struggle to repay, affecting the Fund’s long-term viability.
In its internal recommendations, NELFUND suggested:
- Pausing disbursements to universities with fee hikes exceeding 100%.
- Capping loan disbursements per course to avoid overextending funding.
- Conducting urgent reviews of university fee structures to ensure alignment with national education funding policies.
Stakeholder Reactions: Students, Parents, and Unions Speak Out
The sharp tuition hikes have ignited concerns among various stakeholders:
- Student Bodies: Associations representing students have warned that such steep increases could force many to abandon their studies or defer admission.
- Parents’ Groups: Parent organizations have decried the financial strain imposed by these increases, calling for greater transparency in how universities determine fees.
- Academic Unions: ASUU and other staff unions have highlighted that unchecked fee hikes could lead to unrest and dissatisfaction among students, potentially disrupting academic activities.
According to observers, the increases could also exacerbate inequality, as students from wealthier families would continue to access high-demand professional programs, while lower-income students might be priced out entirely.
Root Causes Behind Tuition Hikes
Multiple factors have contributed to the surge in tuition fees, including:
- Inflation and Rising Operational Costs: Universities are grappling with increased salaries, facility maintenance, and utility expenses, prompting administrators to hike fees.
- Dependence on Tuition for Revenue: Many public institutions rely heavily on student fees due to limited government funding.
- High Demand for Professional Courses: Programs such as Medicine, Nursing, and Law are highly sought after, giving institutions leverage to increase fees.
- Lack of Regulatory Oversight: Weak enforcement of tuition policies allows universities to unilaterally increase fees beyond reasonable thresholds.
Experts argue that without regulatory intervention, universities may continue to exploit students’ access to loans, creating a moral hazard that incentivizes fee inflation.
Policy Implications and Call for Regulation
NELFUND has called on government agencies, including the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), to implement a framework to regulate tuition fees, particularly for professional courses.
Potential policy measures being considered include:
- Capping tuition increases to a fixed percentage per academic year.
- Mandating transparency in fee determination and public disclosure of university budgets.
- Linking loan disbursement to compliance with tuition guidelines to ensure fairness and sustainability.
Broader Implications for Nigeria’s Higher Education System
The tuition hikes and NELFUND’s warning highlight a critical challenge for Nigeria’s tertiary education system: balancing institutional financial needs with students’ ability to pay.
Analysts warn that if unchecked:
- Professional programs may become exclusive to the wealthy, reducing diversity in key sectors like healthcare and law.
- Educational debt burdens will rise, impacting graduates’ financial independence and ability to contribute to national development.
- Loan default rates may surge, putting public student loan schemes at risk of collapse.
Conclusion: The Urgency of Action
The NELFUND alert underscores the urgent need for coordinated policy intervention, balancing university autonomy with the social responsibility of providing affordable education.
Key questions remain:
- Will regulators implement caps on tuition fees to prevent arbitrary and unsustainable increases?
- Can NELFUND adapt its operations to continue supporting students without compromising loan sustainability?
- How will universities navigate financial pressures while ensuring equitable access to high-demand programs?
As tuition fees continue to climb, students, parents, and policymakers are watching closely. The decisions made in the coming months could determine whether higher education in Nigeria remains accessible or becomes an exclusive privilege for the few.
