House Moves to Halt Tuition Fee Increases in Public Tertiary Institutions

House Moves to Halt Tuition Fee Increases in Public Tertiary Institutions

The House of Representatives has called for a suspension of tuition fee increases in public tertiary institutions across Nigeria following concerns over reported hikes exceeding 100 per cent in some universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

The resolution followed a motion moved by Hon. Ifeoluwa Babajide Ehindero, Member representing Akoko North-East/Akoko North-West Federal Constituency, during plenary on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

The lawmaker expressed concern that rising institutional charges could restrict access to higher education, particularly for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and undermine the objectives of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Ehindero acknowledged the financial challenges facing public tertiary institutions but stressed the need to balance institutional sustainability with the ability of Nigerian families to afford education.

“Access to higher education should not become increasingly difficult for Nigerian students because of sudden and substantial increases in institutional charges,” he said.

He also called for transparency, consultation and a comprehensive review of institutional fee structures in line with prevailing economic realities.

The lawmaker noted that although NELFUND was established to ease financial barriers through student loans, sharp increases in institutional charges could weaken the effectiveness of the intervention and leave more students struggling to meet educational costs.

Following consideration of the motion, the House urged the Federal Government to increase financial subventions to public tertiary institutions to reduce their dependence on student charges for internally generated revenue.

It also urged the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to engage the management of public tertiary institutions towards suspending fee increases and reviewing tuition structures in line with current economic realities.

Additionally, the House mandated its relevant committees on University Education, Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education, and Federal Colleges of Education to investigate the extent and justification for recent fee increases.

The motion was subsequently referred to the relevant House committees for further legislative action.

The resolution underscores the legislature’s concern over the need to sustain public tertiary institutions while protecting students’ access to affordable and equitable higher education.