As schools across Nigeria reopen for the new academic session, what should be a time of renewed excitement for learning has instead been overshadowed by complaints of rising school fees and additional charges. From Lagos to Kano, Abuja to Port Harcourt, parents are voicing frustration over the financial burden of educating their children in an economy already strained by inflation and high living costs.
The Cost of Education in Nigeria: A Growing Burden
For decades, Nigerian families have prided themselves on investing in education as the surest pathway to success. However, in 2025, the price tag attached to quality education is pushing many households to breaking point.
Parents report that school fees have increased significantly compared to last term, in some cases by as much as 20 to 40 percent. Beyond tuition, schools are introducing multiple charges such as:
When added together, these charges can make the actual cost of schooling far higher than the advertised tuition.
Voices of Parents
Many parents have taken to social media and community forums to air their grievances.
A mother of two in Abuja explained:
“I budgeted ₦250,000 for my children’s fees this term, only to end up paying nearly ₦400,000 after all the levies. We are already struggling with food, transport, and rent. How can education be this expensive?”
In Lagos, another parent lamented being forced to pay a ‘compulsory’ uniform replacement fee despite her child’s uniform still being in good condition. Similar complaints have surfaced across the country, with parents accusing schools of exploiting the system.
Why Are Schools Increasing Fees?
School administrators, on the other hand, insist that the hikes are necessary. Several factors are driving the surge in educational costs:
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Inflation and Currency Devaluation
The rising cost of goods and services in Nigeria is affecting schools as much as households. Items such as books, stationery, laboratory equipment, and school buses are more expensive due to inflation and the weak naira.
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Energy Costs
With the unreliable power supply, many schools rely heavily on generators. The cost of diesel and petrol has skyrocketed, forcing schools to pass part of the expense to parents.
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Staff Salaries
Teachers and non-academic staff are demanding higher pay to keep up with the cost of living. Schools argue that without fee adjustments, they would struggle to retain qualified personnel.
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Infrastructure Development
Some schools claim that levies such as “development fees” go toward building or maintaining classrooms, laboratories, and ICT facilities. Parents, however, remain skeptical, as such fees often lack transparency.
Government’s Role and Response
The Nigerian government has historically promised to make education more accessible, yet the current situation paints a worrying picture. Public schools, which should provide relief for struggling families, remain underfunded, overcrowded, and poorly equipped. This forces many parents to rely on private schools despite their rising costs.
Some state governments have begun investigating complaints of fee hikes, while education ministries have urged schools to be transparent about their charges. However, in practice, there is little regulation of private school fees, leaving parents with limited bargaining power.
Consumer rights advocates argue that the Federal Ministry of Education should step in to create guidelines on acceptable charges, while also investing more in public schools to reduce dependence on expensive private institutions.
The Impact on Families
The ripple effect of rising educational costs is being felt across Nigerian households. Some families are considering transferring their children to cheaper schools, while others are forced to cut back on essentials to pay fees. In extreme cases, parents are withdrawing children altogether, contributing to the growing problem of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
A father in Port Harcourt shared:
“I had to move my daughter from a private secondary school to a public one this term. I couldn’t keep up with the fees. It hurts, but survival comes first.”
This trend risks widening the gap between children who can afford quality education and those who cannot, undermining Nigeria’s human capital development in the long run.
Education as a Right, Not a Privilege
Education experts warn that if unchecked, the commercialization of learning could jeopardize Nigeria’s future. They stress that education should not be treated as a luxury but as a fundamental right.
One solution proposed is for the government to subsidize certain school costs, such as textbooks and examination fees, while offering incentives for schools that keep their charges affordable. Another is for civil society to create platforms that hold schools accountable for hidden charges.
Conclusion
As the new school term begins, the tension between parents and schools reflects a deeper crisis in Nigeria’s education system. Rising fees and multiple charges are pricing out many families, leaving them anxious about their children’s future.
Unless the government steps up to regulate private school charges, improve public education, and support parents, this cycle of complaint and frustration will continue.
Education remains the key to Nigeria’s growth and development. But if it becomes inaccessible to the majority, the nation risks stunting its own progress.
For now, parents continue to sacrifice and struggle, determined to keep their children in school despite the odds. Their cry is simple: let education remain a right, not a privilege for the wealthy few.
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