Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has strongly criticized the recent increase in school fees imposed by both the Federal and Lagos State governments, labeling the move as unlawful.
In July 2023, the federal government raised fees for Unity Schools from N45,000 to N100,000 per term, representing a hike of over 120 percent. Similarly, the Lagos State government announced a new boarding school fee of N100,000, up from N35,000.
Reacting to these developments, Falana described the fee increases as a violation of the Child’s Rights Law, noting that the new charges exceed the national minimum wage of N70,000, making it impossible for a worker to afford the education of even one child in Unity Schools or Lagos State secondary schools.
“The federal government has increased the fee payable in all Unity Schools to N100,000 per term, totaling N300,000 annually. Lagos State has followed suit, setting fees at N100,000 per term or N300,000 per year,” Falana said.
He highlighted the financial strain this places on workers earning the minimum wage, explaining that with a monthly income of N28,000 over a four-month term, workers are unable to cover these fees.
Citing the Child’s Rights Act, which mandates free and compulsory education from primary to junior secondary levels, Falana declared the imposition of such fees illegal. He vowed to challenge the hikes in court, emphasizing that under the law, all children are entitled to free education at these levels.
Falana concluded by stating that the imposition of exorbitant fees on junior secondary school students across Nigeria will be contested in the appropriate High Court.
