ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has condemned in strong terms the recent 200 per cent increase in fees in federal universities.
The association explained that it may lead to students dropping out of school.
Also, NAAT criticized the dissolution of Universities Governing Boards and asked the Federal Government of Nigeria to reinstate the dissolved boards.
These were made known in a statement issued by the NAAT President, Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma, at the end of its 52nd National Executive Council meeting, which was made available to journalists in Abuja on Sunday.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the recent increment in tuition fees, the association said: “NAAT is worried and concerned too with the recent development regarding the increase in fees and charges in our Federal Institutions, particularly Universities.
READ ALSO: JAMB Approves New Cut-off Mark For Universities, Poly, Colleges Of Education
“This development may compel many of our students to drop out of school, occasioned by the current economic hardship facing parents and lack of adequate resources to meet up with economic demands.
“We are aware that over 200% increase in fees and charges are now being imposed by Universities authorities. NAAT, therefore, appeals to the government to consider the plight of the poor and rescind the decision by returning to the status quo until the loan issue is properly addressed.”
Also, NAAT noted that the dissolution of the governing boards of universities was a setback for the growth and development of Nigeria’s Tertiary Education.
The union argued that the dissolution would cripple the activities of the country’s tertiary institutions, especially in the areas of promotion, motivation, welfare, contracts, and project documentation as well as laboratory facilities for practical and research.