The Federal Government has been issued a 7-day ultimatum to order tertiary institutions in the country to nullify the collection of acceptance fee from admission seekers,
The ultimatum was issued by One Love Foundation, a Rights group which stated that if their demands are not met, they will seek redress in court.
A statement signed by the group’s coordinator, Mr. Patrick Osagie Eholor, reads:
“Our attention has been drawn to overwhelming protests and outcry from students, parents and the general public of Edo State and Nigeria in general in respect of oppressive and unbearable admission acceptance fees which newly admitted students are compelled to pay by the government in our various institutions.
“Investigations by our foundation indicate that these fees range between N40,000 to as much as N60,000 in some state per student. And that of some federal institution is even higher.
“These fees pose additional hardship and obstacles to tertiary education aspiration of our well-meaning youths and parents whose enthusiastic votes brought the present administration to power.”
Mr. Eholor also lamented how under this administration, higher education is now seen as a thing for the few rich in the nation.
“Subsequently, under the this administration, only a very slim minority of Nigeria citizens who are either successful industrialists or privileged commissioners, government appointees, anointed contractors, treasury looters, fraud and politicians with deep pockets have the right to give higher education to their children,” the statement added.
The statement threatened legal action if the Federal Government fails to halt acceptance fees collected by tertiary institutions.
“Our foundation hereby stands with every Nigerians both parents and families to resist and reclaim the right of these future leaders to affordable and qualitative education.
Acceptance fees
