Private schools across Nigeria have increased tuition fees by between 30% and 40% for the new school term, according to checks by Pulse Nigeria. The hikes come as parents also contend with higher transport costs following recent fuel price increases.
Fee increases across Lagos
In Lagos, a private secondary school in Ipaja raised its tuition from N86,000 to N124,000 per term. Another school in Egbeda increased fees from N250,000 to N320,000 per term. Parents with children in public schools are also affected: those who cannot provide tax clearance certificates through formal employment now pay a N20,100 levy, up from the previous N10,100.
Some school owners are reportedly considering reviewing transport charges after already sending bills to parents in July, before the latest fuel price adjustment. A school in Alagbado, Lagos, has reportedly stopped its school bus service completely, leaving parents to arrange their own transportation or use the school's hostel.
Parents adapt to higher costs
One parent, John Aderiye, said using his own car for school runs no longer makes financial sense. “I have decided to save my self needless stress by contracting a tricyclist in my neighbourhood to take my son to and from school. What I will be spending on that monthly is a fragment of what I would have spent on fuelling my car to do so,” he stated.
School owners say the increases are unavoidable. President of the Lagos Chapter of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Otunba Yusuf Alaka, said many schools are being lenient despite rising expenses. “In fact, the increase ought to be higher than that if the cost of living would be taken into consideration in full force. The increase being complained about, that is 40 per cent, is small if we are to go the whole hog. But we are considerate too and moreover, many of our members have hundreds of millions of naira yet to be paid by parents,” he said.
Alaka added that schools face unpaid fees, rising teacher salaries, rent, taxes, and maintenance costs. “In some parts of Lagos now, you can’t pay a teacher less than N150,000 monthly,” he noted.
Parents and teachers appeal for moderation
The National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) acknowledged that many families are struggling to cope with the increases. Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, appealed to school owners to reconsider the size of the hike. “School owners have increased fees by between 30 and 40 per cent and many parents are finding it difficult to cope because of the economic situation in the country. What the proprietors are saying is that operational cost has increased. They cite the cost of maintenance of facilities, even classrooms, where if they have any repair to do, is expensive. Yes, we all know what the situation is nationwide, but we plead with them to reduce their fees. It should not be more than 20 per cent increase,” he said.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) also weighed in. Chairman of the Lagos Council, Hassan Akintoye, urged parents not to withdraw children from school despite the tough economy. “Yes, things are tough. The economic situation is challenging and many people are struggling but that is not an excuse to withdraw children from school. I am advising parents not to be discouraged and give up. We have to take the issue of the education of our children seriously. They are our future. We must not joke with them and their future,” he said.
Federal Unity Colleges resume as scheduled
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Education dismissed a fake circular claiming Federal Unity Colleges would resume three weeks later due to the concession controversy at Kings College, Lagos. The ministry confirmed that Monday, September 14, 2026, remains the official resumption date for all Federal Unity Colleges nationwide. It also noted that the fake notice wrongly named “Dr. (Mrs.) Aisha Garba” as Permanent Secretary, whereas the Acting Permanent Secretary is Dr. Mrs. Folake Olatunji David. The ministry urged Nigerians to rely only on official communication.
