Concerned about the recent 200% increase in tuition at federal colleges, the National Association of Academic Technologists warned that it would cause students to stop attending.
The Federal Government was urged to reinstate the dissolved boards by NAAT, which also protested the dissolution of university governing boards.
These and other details were included in a statement given to journalists on Sunday in Abuja by NAAT President Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma following the organization’s 52nd National Executive Council meeting.
“NAAT is worried and concerned too with the recent development regarding the increase in fees and charges in our Federal Institutions, particularly Universities,” the group stated in a statement in response to the recent hike in tuition prices at higher institutions.
“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.