Kogi Assembly Directs State Tertiary Institutions to Halt School Fees Increment

The Kogi State House of Assembly has instructed the leaders of Prince Abubakar Audu University in Anyigba and Kogi State Polytechnic in Lokoja to suspend the introduction of a new rise in tuition fees. This decision came after a petition was presented to the Assembly by the Mohab Care Foundation, a non-governmental organization based in Lokoja.

The petition highlighted the financial difficulties faced by students, their families, and potential students due to the recent fee hikes, particularly at the state polytechnic in Lokoja. Prior to the increase, the tuition was roughly N32,000 for local students and N50,000 for non-local students. However, the current fees in certain departments range from N105,000 to nearly N150,000, which is an increase of over 200 percent in several cases.

The petition expressed deep concern about the impact of this fee increase on children whose families are already struggling to make ends meet. Assembly members also noted the difficulty they face in sponsoring numerous students whose fees have now increased. Consequently, the state Assembly agreed to invite the state Commissioner for Education, the Vice Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University, and the Rector of the Kogi State Polytechnic in Lokoja to discuss the issue.