The argument that fees were not increased but merely harmonised with those of other state-owned universities is an insult to the sensibilities of anyone who reads it and an embarrassment coming from the University Management. If students have to pay more than they previously did, regardless of whether the increase is called harmonisation or anything else, is that not an increment? How did the University’s Public Relations Department consider this a reasonable statement to put out?
So, the increase is not because the University needs to improve lecturers’ welfare, maintain existing infrastructure, or improve the quality of education, but simply because students in other institutions pay more? That is a weak justification. But beyond that, making PAAU’s school fees the same as those of Kabba or Osara is insensitive for three important reasons.
1. PAAU Has a Significantly Larger Student Population
PAAU is a highly populated university, with approximately 25,000 students. If each student pays an average of ₦100,000 in school fees, the University would generate about ₦2.5 billion per session. This excludes portal fees, acceptance fees, medical fees, departmental charges, and other dues. Meanwhile, some departments charge ₦150,000, ₦300,000, and above, even for indigenes, while non-indigenes pay considerably more. Given the previous fee structure, PAAU could hardly be generating less than ₦3 billion per session.
In contrast, Kogi State University, Kabba, has approximately 4,000 students, while CUSTECH, Osara, has a little over 5,000. Their combined population is therefore fewer than 10,000 students, meaning PAAU has approximately 15,000 more students than both institutions combined.
Naturally, institutions with smaller student populations may need to charge more per student to fund their operations. However, it makes little sense to impose the same fees on PAAU students without adequately considering these differences in population, revenue potential, and institutional circumstances.
2. PAAU Has Been in Existence Far Longer Than the Other Institutions
The second reason why this harmonisation is needless and potentially detrimental is that PAAU has been in existence for over 27 years. When the University was established around 1999/2000, a 50kg bag of cement cost approximately ₦500.
Over the years, PAAU has developed roads, lecture halls, a new Senate building, sports facilities, and several other structures and infrastructure. In contrast, CUSTECH and Kogi State University, Kabba, commenced operations approximately four years ago, when a bag of cement cost around ₦5,000, and they are still developing their infrastructure today, with cement prices hovering around ₦12,000.
The implication is straightforward: these relatively new institutions must invest considerably in infrastructure to attain the level of development PAAU has achieved over decades. Their financial needs and circumstances are therefore different. It makes little sense to expect PAAU students to pay the same fees as students in these institutions without considering these differences.
3. The Current Economic Situation Makes the Increase Insensitive
Given the current economic situation in Nigeria, it is insensitive for the Government or PAAU Management to increase school fees at this time, particularly when the justification offered does not establish why such an increase is necessary for PAAU.
Families are already struggling with rising food prices, transportation costs, accommodation expenses, and other basic necessities. Increasing school fees by as much as 100% places an additional burden on parents and students who are already struggling to make ends meet.
What tangible benefits will students receive in return for this additional financial burden? What assurance do their parents have that the extra money will translate into better facilities, improved lecturers’ welfare, or a higher quality of education?
There is nothing in the justification offered so far that clearly demonstrates how this increase will benefit the students who must pay the fees or the parents who will sweat blood to raise the money.
In My Opinion, There Are Only Three Possible Explanations for This Increment
1. To Generate Revenue for the Government at the Expense of PAAU Students
One possibility is that the Kogi State Government intends to use the additional revenue from PAAU students to fund the other two universities. If this is the case, it would amount to robbing Peter to pay Paul, and it would be an unjust and unacceptable way to finance public education.
Students of PAAU should not be made to shoulder an unfair financial burden simply because the Government has other institutions to fund. Each university deserves a sustainable funding model that considers its peculiar circumstances.
2. To Turn PAAU into a Revenue-Generating Institution at the Expense of the Poor
Another possibility is that the University Management intends to turn PAAU into a major revenue-generating institution for the Kogi State Government, to the detriment of ordinary citizens who are struggling to make a living and want to educate their children to secure a better future.
Public universities should not be run as though revenue generation is more important than access to education. Education remains one of the most effective tools for social mobility, and pricing students out of the system undermines that purpose.
3. To Reduce the Number of Students Seeking Admission into PAAU
A third possibility is that the harmonisation of fees is intended to reduce the number of students seeking admission into Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba. If the fees are the same, prospective students may begin to consider Osara or Kabba instead of PAAU.
If reducing the University’s admission pressure is the objective, perhaps that would be the lesser evil. However, such a policy would still raise questions about whether the Government is deliberately discouraging students from choosing PAAU.
We are also not unaware of concerns that lecturers at Kogi State University, Kabba, and CUSTECH enjoy better remuneration and welfare packages than their counterparts at PAAU. Consequently, some lecturers are leaving PAAU for these institutions in pursuit of better working conditions.
If the Government and University Management are so committed to harmonisation, we hope they will also harmonise salaries, benefits, and welfare packages across these institutions. It cannot be fair to harmonise school fees while ignoring the disparities in staff welfare and other institutional conditions.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Ultimately, all of this raises a troubling question: Is there a deliberate attempt to weaken PAAU and, by extension, undermine the development of Kogi East?
From the political, academic, and economic perspectives, the cumulative effect of these decisions could weaken an institution that has served as a major centre of educational advancement for the people of Kogi East.
One cannot ignore the possibility that these developments form part of a broader pattern of marginalisation under the current Government, with the quiet cooperation of some Kogi East elites who appear willing to align with the Government of the day, even when the consequences may be detrimental to their own people.
If this increase is allowed to stand without adequate justification, transparency, and consideration for the economic realities of students and their families, history may judge those responsible harshly.
This is my position, and I consider it necessary to put it on record.
- Agbo Emmanuel Shaibu (PENLORD)
Ex-SUG President
Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba
21st October, 2026
