Proprietors defend 30% fee hike as schools resume Monday

School owners in Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states have defended up to a 30% increase in school fees ahead of the 2026/2027 academic session's resumption on Monday. They attribute the hike to soaring operational costs such as fuel, transport, rent, infrastructure, textbooks, and teachers' salaries. Some schools raised tuition by 10-30%, while others raised ancillary charges like textbook and uniform fees.

Proprietors argue the fee hikes are necessary to keep schools running and retain qualified teachers, as many educators are seeking better pay. However, the fee increases haven't led to a significant shift of pupils from private to public schools. In Lagos, some proprietors have had to make steeper adjustments due to soaring operating costs, with tuition hikes ranging from 20 to 30%.