The recent increase in school fees by Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Oyo State, announced in November 2024 with effects continuing into 2025, has disrupted aspects of student loan payments by the federal government under the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) scheme.
The increase in tuition fees at LAUTECH has left thousands of students stranded, unable to pay their school fees.
The development has reportedly barred many students from sitting for their examinations.
The tuition surge, reportedly as high as 20 to 25 percent for some courses, has placed additional strain on the federal government’s student loan scheme, which was designed around earlier, lower fee levels.
NELFUND warns that, without intervention, these increases threaten to disrupt its ability to disburse loans and recover funds, limiting support for needy students.
A parent, who chose to remain anonymous, said he was forced to sell their family home to cover their children’s tuition.
He criticized the state government, noting that, with increased allocations from the federal government, there is no justification for raising fees in state-owned tertiary institutions.
The parent lamented, “We were not informed that the school would increase their tuition fees.
“Ladoke Akintola University management has stopped some students from sitting for their exam.
“This is highly insensitive when our government does not consider the masses.”
Some parents and student advocates have welcomed the creation of NELFUND, which has disbursed billions of naira to hundreds of thousands of students, helping cover tuition and upkeep costs nationwide.
However, they insist that arbitrary fee increases undermine the programme’s impact and call for greater regulation to protect access to education for poorer families.
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