Many parents and students in Nigeria are expressing worry about the recent hikes in fees for the Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (Post-UTME) and other costs associated with university admissions.
These increases have sparked discussions about the fairness and impact of such financial burden.
The fees for post-UTME, which were once set at about N2,000, have surged in many schools to N5,000, and N10,000, or even higher.
The change has upset many parents, particularly those already facing financial challenges.
Stakeholders in the education sector are criticizing not only the increase in fees but also the logistical headaches that come with the application process, which often force families to travel long distances for the screening.
In addition to the post-UTME fees, newly admitted students are often required to pay non-refundable acceptance fees ranging from N50,000 to N100,000, depending on the university.
While schools argue that these acceptance fees show a student’s commitment to their placement, many parents believe they are unnecessary and only add to the financial burden.
Parents are sharing their experiences, highlighting how these fees can make it much harder to afford higher education.
One parent shared her frustration about the financial strain of paying for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam, transportation, and now the rising post-UTME fees:
“It’s frustrating for families like mine, who live on modest incomes,” she lamented.
Another parent shared a challenging experience he faced while helping his two children attend a recent post-UTME screening at the University of Ilorin.
He described the difficult and exhausting journey from Kaduna to Ilorin, which involved a long drive on unsafe roads known for kidnappings.
Finding accommodation near the campus was another challenge, as there were no arrangements made for families accompanying candidates, forcing them to pay high prices for hotels.
He expressed dismay at how parents had to stand in the sun without proper seating during the screening, which added to the stress of the day.
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Unfortunately, after all the effort and expenses, neither of his children met the university’s cut-off point for admission.
Over 21,000 candidates participated in the recent admission screening at the University of Ilorin, but with only 13,000 spots available, many faced disappointments.
Mr. Ugochukwu and other parents are calling on the government and educational authorities to consider online post-UTME screenings.
This change could help avoid the logistical nightmares and risks of travel that families currently face.
Others, like Mr. Beyioku Ogundipe, shared similar frustrations when his two children had screenings on the same day at different universities, which required him and his wife to split their efforts to support both children.
Overall, these rising costs and logistical challenges are igniting a public outcry for more affordable and convenient processes to secure university admissions in Nigeria.
