FGCs: Legislators intervene as government raises Unity Colleges’ fees to ₦100,000

*The Nigerian House of Representatives, in the National Assembly, Abuja, urges the Federal Government to reverse the new increment in students’ fees from initial N45,000 to N100,000 in all Federal Government-owned secondary schools in the country

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Against the backdrop of the recent high inflationary trend resulting from fuel subsidy removal and uniform exchange rate of the Naira to a Dollar, the Nigerian Government has increased school fees for Federal Government Colleges (FGCs), otherwise known as Federal Unity Colleges, from ₦45,000 to ₦100,000.

ConsumerConnect reports the information is contained in a directive from the Office of the Director of Senior Secondary Education Department of the Federal Ministry of Education, reference number ADF/120/DSSE/I, dated 25th May, 2023, and addressed to all Principals of Federal Unity Colleges in the country.

The circular titled, “Approved fees/ charges for Federal Unity Colleges (1st Term) for new students”, signed by Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, Director of Senior Secondary Education, indicates the fresh students of FGCs are expected to part with ₦100,000 instead of the previous ₦45,000.

It is also observed that the latest payable fees will affect virtually all aspects and activities of the Unity Schools.

These include tuition and boarding fees, uniforms, textbooks, deposit, exercise books, prospectus, caution fees, ID cards, stationery, clubs and societies, sports, extra lesson, insurance, among others.

Legislative intervention

Subsequently, the House of Representatives, in the National Assembly (NASS) Abuja, FCT, July 11 this year reportedly urged the Federal Government to reverse the new increment in the fees payable in all Federal Government-owned secondary schools in Nigeria.

The resolution followed a motion moved by Hon. Saidu Abdullahi (Niger) and Kama Nkemkanma (Ebonyi).

Nkemkanma, while moving the motion in the House, said the increment was causing untold hardship for students in the FGCs in the West African country.