The National Association of Academic Technologists has condemned the recent over 200 per cent increase in fees in federal universities, and the dissolution of Universities Governing Boards, advising the government to as a matter of urgency review the decisions.
In a statement issued by NAAT President Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma at the end of its 52nd National Executive Council meeting in Abuja,, the association decried the increment in tuition fees in our tertiary institutions especially the federal universities, adding that it would cause untold hardship on parents and would result in massive drop-out of students. .
Nwokoma said: “NAAT is worried and concerned too with the recent development regarding the increase in fees and charges in our Federal Institutions, particularly Universities.
“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.”
The association also said that the dissolution of the governing boards of universities was a setback for the growth and development of Nigeria’s Tertiary Education.