Parents, Schools Struggle Amid Rising Tuition Crisis
Mounting Cost Pressures on Families
A sharp increase in school fees across Nigeria is placing unprecedented strain on households, with many parents struggling to keep their children in school. Private school operators have raised tuition by over 30 per cent, citing rising operational costs driven by inflation, fuel price hikes, and broader economic pressures.
For many families, education—once seen as a guaranteed investment in the future—is becoming increasingly unaffordable. Parents now face difficult choices between maintaining their children’s education or meeting basic living needs, as food prices and transportation costs continue to climb.
Shift Toward Public Schools
As private education slips out of reach, more parents are turning to public schools, which offer comparatively lower fees. Public primary schools typically charge between ₦5,000 and ₦15,000 per term, while secondary schools range up to ₦25,000.
However, even these costs have nearly doubled over the past five years, reflecting the broader inflationary environment. Despite being more affordable, public schools face capacity and quality concerns, leaving many parents uncertain about the transition.
Parents Confront Tough Decisions
Across Lagos and other urban centres, parents recount the financial strain of rising tuition and ancillary charges. For some, school bus fares have nearly doubled, compounding the burden.
Several families have already begun withdrawing their children from private institutions, while others are considering staggered payments or cheaper alternatives. The situation raises fears of a growing out-of-school population, particularly among low-income households.
School Owners Defend Fee Increases
Private school proprietors argue that fee adjustments are unavoidable. Rising costs of diesel, electricity, staff salaries, and maintenance have forced schools to review pricing structures to remain operational.
Industry groups warn that without intervention, the sector could face further disruptions, including teacher attrition and reduced service quality. Some schools have already scaled back transport services or lost enrolment due to affordability challenges.
Growing Risk of Education Inequality
Experts warn that the widening affordability gap could deepen inequality in access to education. With public schools underfunded and private education becoming costlier, millions of children risk being left behind.
Nigeria already faces one of the highest out-of-school populations globally, with millions of children outside formal education. Analysts caution that without urgent policy responses, recent cost pressures could reverse gains in school enrolment and literacy.
