Kogi Assembly Orders Halt to School Fee Increases

The Kogi State House of Assembly has directed the management of Prince Abubakar Audu University in Anyigba and Kogi State Polytechnic in Lokoja to cease the implementation of increased school fees. This decision came after a petition from Mohab Care Foundation, a Lokoja-based NGO, highlighting the financial difficulties faced by students, prospective students, parents, and guardians due to the fee hikes.

The petition indicated that prior to the increase, school fees at Kogi State Polytechnic were approximately N32,000 for indigenous students and N50,000 for non-indigenous students. The new fees reportedly range from N105,000 to nearly N150,000, marking an increase of over 200 percent in some cases.

The Assembly members expressed their concern as they sponsor many students affected by the fee increase. Consequently, the Assembly resolved to invite the state Commissioner for Education, the Vice Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University, and the Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic to discuss the issue.