The National Association of Academic Technologists has expressed concern over the recent 200 per cent increase in fees in federal universities, saying that it may lead to students dropping out of school.
NAAT also kicked against the dissolution of Universities
Governing Boards and asked the Federal Government to reinstate the dissolved
boards.
These among others were contained 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 in tertiary institutions, 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.
“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.
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.