Human Rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has condemned the recent hike in school fees by the federal and Lagos state governments, describing the move as illegal. The federal government increased fees for Unity Schools from N45,000 to N100,000 per term, a 120% increase, while Lagos State raised fees for state-owned boarding schools from N35,000 to N100,000.
Falana argued that this violates the Child’s Rights Act and Lagos State Child’s Rights Law, which guarantee free and compulsory education from primary to junior secondary school. He emphasized that with the increased fees exceeding the minimum wage of N70,000, workers can no longer afford to sponsor a single child.
“The federal government has increased fees payable in all unity schools from N45,000 to N100,000 per term. Thus, the fee payable per annum is N300,000 per student,” Falana stated. “Similarly, the Lagos State Government has fixed fees payable in all secondary schools at N100,000 per term or N300,000 per annum by every student.”
He highlighted the implications: “At N70,000 minimum wage, the salary of a worker per term of 4 months is N280,000. The implication is that a worker can no longer sponsor even one child either in the Unity School or any secondary school in Lagos State.”
Falana vowed to challenge the decision in court, citing the Child’s Rights Laws applicable in all states and the Federal Capital Territory. “In view of the clear provisions of the Child’s Rights Laws… the illegal imposition of prohibitive fees on junior secondary school students will be challenged in the appropriate High Courts.”
The hike comes despite the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) revealing that over N45.7 billion in matching grants for state governments remains unaccessed between 2020 and 2023.
Falana’s stance emphasizes the need for accessible education, ensuring that economic constraints do not deny students their right to learn. His planned legal challenge aims to protect the rights of Nigerian children and uphold the principles of free and compulsory education.
