Niger State Government: IBB University Lapai Students In Period Of Cacophony Over The Increase Of School Fees -By Abdulfatah Adamu

I read with nostalgic, the sloppy released circular dated 03/08/2021 by the governing council of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai of the approved hike school fees of all students of the institution for the 2020/2021 academic session which contravene the constitutional aphorism “Education is a right and not a privilege, funding of education as stipulated in the Nigerian Constitution is the sole responsibility of government, not parents.”

Cryingly, this sad bulletin coming when the situation is tense our economy is in jeopardy, our streets are becoming unsafe due to spurge in thuggery, banditry and kidnappings. We are all in the know that these crimes, economy jeopardy and many other related social vices have always been associated with lack of education and job opportunities as well as truancy.

It’s worth of note that, 70 percent of the indigenous students were sons and daughters of peasant farmers, civil servants and petty traders. These people struggle everyday against the current economic downturn to pay the fees of their children and the increase of school fees will, without doubt, send thousands of the students out of school due to the monumental increase in tuition fees. Whatever is the motivation for the purported increase in the current fees, I wishe to urge for a quick intervention and call on leaders of conscience, civil societies, traditional rulers and every stakeholder to intervene with a view to averting the impending crisis that may arise from the situation. Meanwhile, for a Country to thrive, much attention should be given to the educational sector as future leaders are products of a qualitative educational system and education is important as it is a panacea for solving problems such as illiteracy, ignorance, religious violence, insecurity and political servitude and it is the fuel to a better society.

Abdulfatah Adamu
adamabdulfatha@gmail.com