As students struggle with the escalating costs of higher education in Nigeria, the recent shift by the Federal Government to replace adequate funding with the National Education Loan Fund (NELFund) has become a critical issue. This policy change, coupled with the fee hikes at the University of Ibadan, the premier university of the country, raises alarming concerns. If the ongoing struggles with fee hikes are not resolved, there is a real risk that similar policies will be adopted by other federal universities, eventually affecting state and private universities. This potential domino effect threatens to reshape the Nigerian education system into one where financial barriers could hinder access to education.
The decision by the Nigerian Government to replace direct funding for public education with the NELFund loan scheme represents a fundamental shift in educational policy. Rather than continuing to subsidise education, the administration now expects students to finance their studies through loans. While this policy is framed as a solution to address chronic underfunding, it poses severe risks to students. Some may argue that the loan scheme increases access to higher education for those who might otherwise be excluded. However, this approach overlooks the potential long-term consequences for students who, already burdened by high unemployment and underemployment rates, may struggle to repay these loans. For many of us, this shift means entering the workforce with significant debt, potentially leading to long-term financial instability rather than educational advancement. The fact that the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has endorsed this policy further complicates our situation, as it suggests a troubling departure from their traditional role of advocating for affordable education.
As a student, it is disheartening to see the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) lose its once-powerful voice against policies that undermine our interests. Historically, NANS has been a staunch advocate for students, challenging government policies detrimental to our education. However, recent approaches of NANS point to internal corruption and political alignment that have weakened its effectiveness. Its support for the NELFund loan scheme reflects a shift from advocating for affordable education through subsidies to accepting loans as a necessary alternative. This change not only betrays the core mission of NANS but also highlights how internal issues and politicization have compromised its ability to represent our needs effectively.
At the University of Ibadan, the role of the Students’ Union has become increasingly troubling. Once a formidable advocate for student rights, the union now seems to be more aligned with the university management than with the students it is supposed to represent. The weak and passive response of the Students’ Union to the recent fee hikes crisis illustrates a broader decline in student representation. Instead of defending the overall interest of her members and advocating for our rights, the leadership of the union appears to be acquiescing to the terms of the management regardless of how fair or unfair it might be on the path of the students. This lack of effective representation undermines the credibility of the union and leaves us without a strong voice in addressing issues like fee hike and financial transparency. Evidently, our Union needs to be saved too!
The recent fee hikes at the University of Ibadan, justified by the management as necessary due to rising operational costs, is another issue that requires serious concern. It is open to debate among us whether or not the management has provided transparent and detailed explanations for these increases, such as the presence of duplicated charges and unexplained costs, which have further intensified our frustration. The decision of the management to impose a three-week break following our protests can be seen as an attempt to suppress dissent and weaken our ability to organise effectively. Additionally, the most recent decision that “students are to show evidence of registration (printout), which makes them bonafide students of the University of Ibadan, before admission into halls of residence” essentially makes inhabiting the halls of residence contingent on the payment of fees. This contradicts the clear distinction between paying fees and acquiring a place in the halls of residence, otherwise, students would not have been allowed to make separate payments and move into their halls early in the session, even when most had not settled their fees. This lack of transparency and the dismissive attitude amongst many others toward our concerns only deepen our sense of disenfranchisement.
In response to the rising fees and inadequate representation, many students have turned to temporary financial solutions, such as the student loans and crowdfunding campaigns. While these methods may offer short-term relief, they do not address the underlying issues of fee hikes and financial mismanagement. Relying on loans and crowdfunding is a stopgap measure that shifts the burden onto students, rather than addressing the need for systemic reform. Crowdfunding, although helpful in the immediate term, is not a sustainable solution and places the responsibility for financing education on students and their families. Similarly, loans will exacerbate financial challenges, leading to long-term debt that hinders economic stability. These temporary fixes divert attention from the necessary structural changes in education funding and management. So, instead of focusing on individual survival strategies, we should be advocating for comprehensive reforms that ensure affordable and quality education for all.
The crisis at the University of Ibadan highlights a broader systemic issue within the education sector in Nigeria. With the government shifting the financial burden onto students through loan schemes and institutions like University of Ibadan increasing fees with little accountability, the future of education is at a critical juncture. If we do not successfully address the current fee hike crisis, similar policies could spread to other federal universities, state institutions, and private universities. This could result in an education system where financial barriers significantly limit access to learning opportunities.
To prevent this outcome, it is imperative of us as students to unite and demand meaningful change. We must actively engage in negotiations and advocate for reforms that ensure transparency, accountability, and sustainable funding models for higher education. Failure to stand firm and advocate for our rights could result in an education system that prioritises financial barriers over access and social justice. The time for decisive action is now, to safeguard the future of education in Nigeria and ensure that it remains a domain of opportunity rather than a privilege reserved for the few.
May we get better … as we put in effort!
CONTRIBUTOR
OLA Samuel is an undergraduate student of the Department of Philosophy. He is a graphic artist, writer and pianist. He is one of the Junior Professional Officers of the United Nations who is passionate about SDG4-Quality Education, intergovernmental affairs, social justice and Pan-Africanism.
