SUSTAIN: Kaduna plans free bus, train services, reduces tertiary institutions’ fees

*Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has announced a reduction in  tuition fees in the state-owned tertiary institutions as the government unveils plans for free bus and train services as part of measures to cushion effects of rising cost of living after fuel subsidy removal on the people

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Kaduna State Government, in Northern Nigeria, has reduced tuition fees for state-owned tertiary institutions.

ConsumerConnect reports

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, who announced the tuition fees reduction at a press conference Monday, August 21, 2023, said the measure was part of the government’s efforts at cushioning the effect of the rising cost of living in the wake of the petroleum subsidy removal.

The school fees have been slashed between 30 and 50 percent for students of the Kaduna State University, Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic and Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan Waya, among others.

Sani also said the latest move was in response to an outcry over fees charged by tertiary institutions in the state and their effect on school enrolment and retention.

The governor stated: “The response to the public outcry over the current fees being charged by tertiary institutions in Kaduna State and its effect on school enrolment and retention.

“I have approved the downward review of school fees for tertiary institutions in the state as follows:

• KADUNA STATE UNIVERSITY – Current Fee: N150,000 – Reduction (%): 30% – New Fee: N105,000
• NUHU BAMALLI POLYTECHNIC – Current Fee: N100,000 – Reduction (%): 50% – New Fee: N50,000
• COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, GIDAN WAYA – Current Fee: N75,000 – Reduction (%): 50% – New Fee: N37,500
• SHEHU IDRIS COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY, MAKARFI HND Courses – Current Fee: N100,000 – Reduction (%): 30% -New Fee: N70,000 ND Courses – Current Fee: N75,000 – Reduction (%): 30% – New Fee: N52,000
• KADUNA STATE COLLEGE OF NURSING – Current Fee: N100,000 – Reduction (%): 30% – New Fee: N70,000.”

Sani further noted: “Th.is downward review of the extant fees regime aligns with KDSG’s commitment to offering palliatives to cushion the effect of the general rising cost of living in the polity, especially in the wake of recent petroleum subsidy removal in Nigeria.”

The Kaduna State Governor as well restated his resolve to make the welfare of the citizenry a priority of his administration.

He equally promised to sustain free and qualitative education from primary to secondary schools in Kaduna State, while at the same time expanding access to higher education and enhancing the welfare of teachers.

The governor said: “The welfare of the people is our topmost priority.

“Our administration shall continue to take all measures necessary to ensure access to free and qualitative education for every child in Kaduna state from primary to secondary school.

“We will expand access to higher education, enhance teachers’ welfare and teaching standards, improve school infrastructure, build ICT competence in our students from the basic education level, and intensify investments in technical & vocational education.”

Human capital development, a key to SUSTAIN Agenda, says Sani

In regard to the strategic importance of human capital development as a key pillar of his SUSTAIN Agenda, Governor Sani stated that his administration had taken steps to provide succour to the poor, underserved, and vulnerable groups in Kaduna state through his first Executive Order on financial inclusion for 2.1 million vulnerable citizens in the Northern state.

Government reveals plans for free bus, train services for citizens

As long-term palliatives to further cushion the after-effects of removal of subsidy on PMS in the state, the Kaduna State Government also, has rolled out a comprehensive palliative support programme designed to help cushion the negative impact of the removal of petrol subsidies on residents of the state.

Sani also announced this development Tuesday, August 22 during a joint media briefing, where the initiative was unveiled along with Ayuba Suleiman, Kaduna State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),  and other members of the palliative committee.

The state’s palliative committee comprises representatives of Organised Labour and civil society organisations (CSOs).

The governor disclosed 210,000 indigent households, totalling 1,050,000 vulnerable persons would benefit from the N2 billion palliative fund so far released by the Federal Government to the state.

According to him, the implementation of the palliatives intervention would be executed in three phases, starting with the distribution of food items to poor and vulnerable households.

The governor also stressed the second and third phases will include the procurement of free buses to ease transportation challenges, supporting farmers and micro, small and medium enterprises with fertilisers and incentives to boost their businesses.

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