FG will harmonise university tuition fees – Minister

Abuja - The Federal Government will harmonise tuition fees in all
federal universities to stop arbitrary charge of fees by some
university authorities.
The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, made this known
in Abuja on Tuesday.
``Since the protests started, we have summoned the authorities of
the universities and sat down with them and we are going to
harmonise everything.
``Because, I think it is N45,000 that is the maximum that should be
charged. I know in some places, there has been other arrangement.
``But the ministry would harmonise everything and I believe there
will be no more protests over fees.
Universities of Lagos, Ibadan and Port Harcourt were recently shut
down following students’ protests over increase in fees, lack of
water and power supply on the campuses.
Adamu said that the Federal Government was discussing with
management of the affected universities, adding that efforts were
also ongoing to introduce harmonised fees for all federal
universities.
Adamu, who decried the excessive fees charged by private tertiary
institutions in the country, explained that the government does not
have the power to regulate fees in that sector.
``First, I will agree with you that they charge exorbitant fees. But I
wish I had the power to do something about it. If I had the power I
would stop them.
``But I think the thing is being treated like a market where you buy
what you can afford. But I do believe the government should
intervene.
On the industrial peace that has prevailed in the education sector
since the inception of the Buhari administration, Adamu attributed it
to partnership with the unions.
He stressed that the government would strengthen partnership with
all the unions in the sector to sustain the existing industrial
harmony.
``ASUU and the other unions are very patriotic people who are
concerned about the state of education in Nigeria. And most of
what they do is motivated by this belief.
``So, as far as I am concerned, they have got fellow travellers in
this administration.
``I believe the president and his ministers are really passionate
about education. And they would want to do everything to make
education succeed.
`` ASUU and the administration are going in the same line. So, we
would not have a ground to disagree.
``We are not waiting for unions to strike before we go to them. So,
we are already making the approach to all the unions. So, I think
there would be no strikes.
The minister pledged government’s commitment to release N200
billion annually for the implementation of the NEEDS Assessment
Report, to enhance the quality and standard of tertiary education.
He added that fate of tertiary education depended on the full
implementation of the NEEDS Assessment Report, which according
to him, ``this government is committed to deliver’’.