Education has traditionally been seen as both a fundamental human right and a key driver of economic and social progress. However, the cost of furthering one’s education in Nigeria is rising. The skyrocketing price of higher education is a growing problem in today’s classrooms and households.
There are two main drivers behind the rising price of higher education. To begin, Nigeria is struggling with high inflation rates that have reduced people’s purchasing power. Education costs have increased alongside the rising cost of living and other basic necessities. It is impossible to overstate inflation’s effect on the cost of higher education.
The second factor contributing to the rising price of schooling in Nigeria is the naira’s falling value on foreign currency exchanges. As the value of the naira has dropped against other currencies, universities have had to deal with increasing prices for imported textbooks, computers, and other classroom necessities. Students and their families already have a lot on their plates without these added costs.
The Nigerian government is in a bind on how to continue its long-standing policy of subsidising education in the face of economic uncertainties and rising prices. While the government agrees that education for all should be a priority, it has raised questions about whether or not education funding can be sustained. Due to fiscal constraints and conflicting priorities, it has become necessary to reevaluate the level of state support for education.
Factors Contributing to the Rising Cost of Education
An important driver of the rising tuition rates in Nigeria is the growing desire for better educational options. As Nigeria’s population rises, so does the country’s parents’ and children’s want for a quality education. Educational providers, both public and commercial, have mushroomed in response to rising demand for access to respected schools offering high-quality education. Tuition costs have increased as a direct result of the increased rivalry among schools for students.
According to Chukwuka Onyekwena, Eustace Uzor, Tirimisiyu Oloko, and Adedeji Adeniran in a paper, titled, ‘Financing Basic Education in Nigeria What are the Feasible Options?’, “The increasing demand for quality education in Nigeria is a reflection of the aspirations of parents and students who see education as the gateway to a brighter future.”
In Nigeria, high inflation rates have had a significant impact on the cost of living, influencing everything from groceries to rent to transportation. The skyrocketing inflation rates we’ve been experiencing for the past few years are a major contributor to the escalating price of higher education. Expenditures for children’s education are taking a larger bite out of already-thin family budgets. The ever-increasing cost of living has a direct bearing on how much money families have to spend on their children’s and young people’s education, creating a complex web of financial strain.
“High inflation is like a silent tax on every household, eroding the purchasing power of families and making the cost of education a formidable burden,” goes a popular quote ascribed to an international economist.
Historically, the Nigerian government—through statutory allocations and direct fiscal transfers—has played a significant role in funding schools. While the government recognises the importance of education, its ability to provide stable funding has been hampered by financial restrictions, budgetary pressures, and conflicting agendas. Educational institutions are struggling with insufficient resources to maintain quality standards, infrastructure, and cheap tuition as a direct result of the government’s decreased financing.
Oxford Business Group found that inadequate funding for education was a major problem in Nigeria, with authorities failing to reach investment targets for public schools. According to the research, enrolment rates have dropped as a direct effect of the Covid-19 pandemic’s exposure of holes in educational infrastructure.
In 2019, 7.12 percent of Nigeria’s federal budget went towards funding the country’s educational system. The federal government has only allocated 1.4% of GDP to education over the previous three years, which is far lower than the 4-6% targeted by UNESCO’s Education 2030 Framework for Action to ensure quality education and lifelong learning for all.
Higher tuition costs have been passed on to students in Nigeria due to a financial gap at the country’s educational institutions. According to recent research by Oxford Business Group, increased public support for partnerships between schools and businesses has opened up promising investment prospects for educational institutions of all sizes and types.
Education funding is an important topic, and it is illuminating to contrast Nigeria’s strategy with that of other African countries like Ghana and South Africa. These nations have built more transparent and long-term funding structures for basic education, demonstrating a stronger commitment to this area of development. There is a lack of stability and predictability in Nigeria’s education system due to the country’s complicated and less clear-cut finance architecture for education.
According to Chukwuka Onyekwena, Eustace Uzor, Tirimisiyu Oloko, and Adedeji Adeniran, in a paper, ‘Financing Basic Education in Nigeria What are the Feasible Options?’: “The difference in financing approaches between Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa underscores the need for Nigeria to reassess its strategies and establish a more robust framework for education financing.”
Effects of the Rising Cost of Education
Parents in Nigeria are under a lot of stress due to the skyrocketing cost of schooling. It is becoming increasingly difficult for many parents to shoulder the financial burden of providing a proper education for their children as tuition costs continue to rise. This predicament resonates with the statement made by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), which aptly points out, “Most of their colleagues who attend public universities are from financially disadvantaged homes and would not be able to afford such an increment.”
Nigeria has a worrying number of out-of-school children due to escalating education costs. Some families must choose to keep their children out of school due to rising costs. This sad trend undermines widespread quality education. The urgency of this situation is underscored by the clarion call in the Basic Education Financing report, stating, “It is extremely unlikely that Nigeria will achieve increased financing for basic education through traditional budgetary allocation and statutory fiscal transfer, given the country’s deteriorating fiscal situation.”
As the cost of private education continues to rise, more and more Nigerian kids are opting to attend public schools. However, public schools are struggling with financial constraints, making it difficult to meet the educational needs of a growing student population. This issue was succinctly captured by the statement: “The rising cost of education is putting pressure on public schools, which are struggling to meet the needs of their students.”
The impact of the rising cost of education is not limited to financial burdens alone; it also takes an emotional toll on students and their families. The uncertainty and stress associated with the inability to afford education can hinder students’ academic performance and overall well-being. Families are left grappling with the dilemma of providing the best opportunities for their children while facing the stark reality of financial limitations. As a report aptly notes, “The rising cost of education in Lagos is a major challenge for parents, students, and the government alike.”
Government Initiatives to Address the Issue
The government of Nigeria has taken several steps to reduce the financial burden of higher education on the country’s students and their families in response to escalating concerns about the affordability of higher education. Offering financial aid in the form of scholarships is one such programme. Students from low-income backgrounds should expect to benefit the most from these aid programmes. As noted by the Director of Basic Education, Mrs. Folake Olatunji, as quoted by The Punch: “The Federal Government provides support to basic education (in states) through fiscal transfers to the states from the UBE Intervention Fund managed by UBEC.”
Government has been trying to work with the business sector after realising they need to take a more creative approach to funding schools. The groups involved in this collaboration hope to find innovative ways to fund basic education and increase the contribution of the private sector. Onyekwena, Uzor, Oloko, and Adeniran advocate for such collaboration, stating, “The federal and state governments need to collaborate more with the private sector to explore opportunities for raising non-traditional funds and participation in basic education financing.”
There is a lot of complexity in Nigeria’s system for funding schools, therefore the government has started making changes to increase openness and accountability. Eliminating inefficiencies in the financing supply chain is a crucial step towards revealing hidden funding deficits and allowing for well-informed policy decisions. Increasing government transparency in how they spend money on education is seen as crucial for ensuring that funds for basic education really make it to the classroom. The Onyekwena et al report states, “A less ambiguous financing supply chain would provide a better understanding of the gaps in funding and thus improve policy decisions.”
In light of the need for increased funding for basic education, the Nigerian government is contemplating reforms in public expenditure. These reforms are envisioned to prioritize spending, reduce inefficiencies, and allocate more resources to basic education. One potential avenue for generating additional resources is the redirection of savings from ongoing public sector expenditure reforms, such as fuel subsidy payments and anti-corruption measures. Experts underscore the urgency of such reforms. Again, the Onyekwena et al report states, “While this will boost basic education finance in the short and medium term, there is also an urgent need for the government… to strengthen the institutional framework for private sector involvement in basic education financing.”
Stakeholder Reactions and Concerns
Both students and their families have spoken out strongly against the massive price increases at Nigerian colleges. The rising price of tuition is putting additional strain on families that are struggling financially. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has raised alarm over these problems, pointing out the disproportionate effect they have on students from low-income backgrounds. NANS aptly expresses its discontent by asserting that these fee hikes are “not only inconsiderate but also insensitive.”
Education associations and unions in Nigeria, notably the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), have vehemently opposed the fee increases by universities across the country. ASUU, a prominent voice in the education sector, has raised concerns about the consequences of such hikes. ASUU’s National President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, underscores the potential exclusion of indigent students from higher education due to these decisions. Osodeke also cautions against government initiatives like education banks, citing their failure in countries where they were implemented. These responses highlight the intense scrutiny and opposition that the fee hikes have garnered from education stakeholders. (Tough times for students, parents as schools hike fees by 200% – Iyabo Lawal)
While there is a general consensus among students, parents, and education associations regarding the detrimental effects of fee hikes, there are also differing perspectives on this issue. Some argue that increasing tuition is a necessary step to salvage the deteriorating state of Nigerian tertiary education. They contend that funding public universities is an expensive endeavour, and tuition hikes represent a viable solution to generate the necessary resources. A Vice-Chancellor from a federal university, pleading anonymity, emphasises the financial challenges faced by universities, stating, “Running universities is extremely expensive.” This perspective underscores the complexity of the issue, as it pits the need for quality education against the financial realities faced by educational institutions.
Possible Solutions and Recommendations
One fundamental solution to address the rising cost of education in Nigeria is an augmented commitment from the government to invest in public education. This entails increasing budget allocations to education to ensure that public institutions receive the necessary funds to maintain affordable tuition fees. Ghana’s example, which allocated 23.81% of its national budget to education in 2015, serves as a benchmark for Nigeria. The Onyekwena et al report underscores the importance of this approach by emphasising that “the percentage allocated to education has been relatively low compared to neighbouring countries.” (The Guardian)
Expanding scholarship and financial aid programmes is another key recommendation to mitigate the financial burden on students and parents. These programmes can target students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, providing them with opportunities to pursue higher education without the fear of overwhelming debt. The government can take inspiration from its existing efforts, such as the UBE Intervention Fund managed by UBEC, and further expand initiatives that provide direct financial assistance to students.
Then, to diversify funding sources, Nigeria can explore public-private partnerships (PPPs) and innovative financing approaches. Collaborating with the private sector can open avenues for raising non-traditional funds for education. The Onyekwena et al report on education funding advocates for this strategy, urging governments to collaborate more with the private sector to explore opportunities for participation in basic education financing. Furthermore, innovative financing approaches like Education Venture Funds and Equity-focused Impact Investing for Education can be explored to inject new resources into the education sector.
In addition to government investments and scholarships, universities themselves can consider diversifying their revenue sources. This diversification can involve exploring opportunities for income generation beyond tuition fees. For example, universities can invest in research and development projects, engage in consultancy services, or establish partnerships with industries to generate revenue. By reducing their dependence on tuition fees, universities can contribute to stabilising or even lowering the cost of education for students.
Forging a Path Forward: Addressing Nigeria’s Education Dilemma
Students and their families in Nigeria have strongly reacted to the outrageous tuition increases at the country’s colleges. Financial strains on families are exacerbated by the rising cost of higher education. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed alarm about these developments, highlighting the effects on students with limited financial resources. The issues are multifaceted and have far-reaching consequences for students, parents, and the education system as a whole, such that the rising cost of education in Nigeria is a concern that cannot be ignored. Education is becoming increasingly pricey for many Nigerians due to a number of issues, including rising demand for excellent education, the effect of high inflation on living expenses, and a lack of government financing. Fee increases of up to 200% at several public colleges have drawn attention to this problem and prompted widespread alarm among affected parties.
The rising expense of education in Nigeria is an issue that must be addressed immediately. Making sure that everyone has the chance to get an education is vital to the growth of a country. According to the analysis by Onyekwena et al., there are barriers to Nigeria increasing its Human Development Index (HDI) because of inadequate educational opportunities and resources. Improving Nigeria’s Human Development Index (HDI) ranking requires the country to put a premium on education.
As a result of these difficulties, cooperation and coordinated actions from all relevant parties are urgently required. All sectors of society are included here, from public agencies to universities to nonprofits to businesses. The research outlines a set of ideas for fixing the problem, including more money for public schools, more aid for students who need it, public-private collaborations, and creative funding mechanisms.
The report by Onyekwena et al. should be seen as a rallying cry. It stresses that appropriate funding for basic education is unlikely to be provided just through regular budgetary allocations and statutory fiscal transfers. Instead, educating all of Nigeria’s children should be based on a foundation of innovative funding strategies and efficient use of existing resources.
Nigeria can only successfully negotiate the complex education financing landscape and keep quality education accessible to all of its inhabitants if all stakeholders are fully committed to working together.
