The House of Representatives has urged the National Universities Commission (NUC) to suspend the implementation of an increase in the tuition fees of universities.
This was contained in a motion moved by Honourable Aliyu Sani Madaki during plenary today.
While citing the poor funding of Tertiary Education and rising inflation in the country, Honourable Madaki noted that the universities that hiked their fees included Bayero University, Kano; the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; the University of Uyo; University of Maiduguri; Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike; and Federal University, Dutse, among others.
He alleged that federal universities across the country had increased their tuition fees from 100 to 200 percent while hostel fees were increased from 50 to 100 percent.
The lawmaker expressed concerns that the hike in fees by the universities is happening against the worsening poverty level in the country, inflation and high rate of unemployment and the recent fuel price hike.
The House also resolved to investigate the increase of fees by all Federal Universities and the hike in school fees for students of Federal Government Colleges across the Country with a view to finding lasting solutions to the challenges in the education sector.
They asked the Federal Government to take immediate steps in adequately funding the education sector by increasing budgetary provisions to ensure that Nigerian students have access to quality and affordable basic and senior secondary education.