The Ogun State Government has clarified that it is not imposing new tuition fees on its universities and polytechnics.
Various institutions, including Olabisi Onabanjo University, have introduced fee increases ranging from 120% to 197%.
The state government emphasized that the decisions on these new tuition fees were made by the governing councils it established and the management of the respective universities and polytechnics.
During a radio interview on Thursday, Professor Bayomi Arigbabu, the Commissioner of Education, stated that major stakeholders, including students and institution managements, should engage in negotiations regarding the new tuition fees based on facts and realities on the ground.
He explained that the governing councils of the state-owned tertiary institutions have autonomy to run the institutions and make decisions.
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Arigbabu justified the recent tuition fee hikes by comparing them to fees charged by other public universities in the country.
He noted that the outcry over the increases was partly due to the fact that fees had not been reviewed for about ten years.
To support indigene students, the commissioner disclosed that the state government has directed all tertiary institutions to establish work-study programs, allowing students to earn incomes while studying.
In addition, the state government is implementing measures such as bursary awards for students of state origin in tertiary institutions nationwide.
Furthermore, there will be 10,000 scholarships available for outstanding students in the state’s public primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions.
Arigbabu also mentioned the upcoming inauguration of the State Education Trust Fund and the forthcoming State Education Summit, where challenges facing tertiary institutions will be addressed comprehensively.
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