Lokoja, Sept. 11, 2025
A recent over 100 per cent increase in tuition fees in state-owned tertiary institutions in Kogi, has sparked widespread concerns among parents and students in the state.
The affected institutions include Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Confluence University of Science Technology (CUSTECH), Kogi State University (KSU), and Kogi State Polytechnic (KSP), Lokoja.
Prince Friday Ogungbemi, Publisher of The Policy and Lawmakers Magazine, in a statement on Thursday in Lokoja, said the development would deny struggling students access to education, dashing their hopes for a brighter tomorrow.
Ogungbemi said the development would make many students from struggling backgrounds likely to find it difficult to cope with the payment.
He urged Gov. Ahmed Ododo to intervene by directing the reviewing of the tuition fees in order not to deny struggling students access to education.
Ogungbemi noted that educational sector in Kogi is facing a severe crisis due to poor funding, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient learning materials.
He emphasised the state’s educational system requires urgent, innovative, and practical reform to bring it in line with international best practices and relevance.
The media expert called for urgent intervention to save the state’s educational system.
He noted that the poor state of education in Kogi State is attributed to poor funding, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient learning materials.
“There have been shortages of teachers in all the primary schools in the 21 local government areas of Kogi State for the past 10 years.
“Additionally, existing teachers are ill-motivated, with poor conditions of service, including salary irregularity, salary insufficiency, and poor physical environment.
“The neglect of primary and secondary education is also a major concern. In the past 34 years of the state’s existence, no new secondary schools have been established in the 21 Local Government Areas.
“Most secondary schools in the state are ill-staffed, with a dire need for recruitment. Available data revealed that the state was in need of 9,948 teachers at the secondary level in 2022,” he said.
He urged the state government to prioritise education, redefine its priorities, and stop playing lip service to the sector.
He added: “The government must take urgent action to address these issues and ensure quality education for all.
“We urge the government to review the tuition fees, increase funding for education, recruit qualified teachers, and implement the Harmonized Retirement Age for Teachers Law”.
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