The University of Lagos (Unilag) has announced a 400 per cent increase in tuition, a development that may force students out of school as Nigerians grapple with economic hardship.

The university’s vice-chancellor, Folasade Ogunsola, met with the representatives of non-teaching staff unions at the Senate Committee Chamber of the school on Thursday and revealed the proposed fees for undergraduate students.

During the meeting, Ms Ogunsola disclosed the proposed fees for the school’s undergraduate students, with the new tuition increment from around N20,000 to over N100,000 depending on the course of study. 

Meanwhile, a statement by the school’s chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) said that “Students without lab or studio use would pay N100,750, those with lab use would pay N140,250 and college of medicine undergraduates would pay N190,250.”

According to the statement, the institution’s vice-chancellor had justified the development when queried on a rebate for staff children.

“The SSANU representative, Rasaki Yusuf, requested a rebate for staff members with children in the university, but the vice chancellor explained that the charges were set nationally and could not be modified for specific student categories,” the statement said.

Mr Yusuf then offered the “option of paying in instalments for staff wards with a condition to pay up one month before the final exams.”

The hike in tuition came at a time Nigerians struggled with the economic hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy upon Mr Tinubu’s assumption of office on May 29.

During his inauguration, the president declared that the subsidy era had gone, a development that affected the prices of commodities and transportation.

In June, Mr Tinubu signed into law the Student Loan Bill in fulfilment of a promise he made during his campaign.

The student loan bill provides interest-free loans to indigent Nigerian students.