Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has justified the recent 120% tuition hike at Gombe State University, stating that it is necessary for the institution’s development.
“I task you (board chairmen) to work hard, particularly with the Gombe State University. The new pro-Chancellor and chairmen of council happen to be seasoned administrators; the issues we had, which are avoidable, should not be repeated again. We have done the needful and learned from our mistakes,” Yahaya said during the swearing-in of governing councils of higher institutions.
Yahaya emphasized that the government’s primary responsibility is to provide basic education, health, and other essential services. He noted that tertiary education is expensive, but investments in education should not be considered a waste.
“I want to urge parents and guardians that Gombe State University is making deliberate efforts to ensure education gets to us, but it seems people have forgotten that out there; Maiduguri, Yola, Bauchi, for courses we can’t have here, and for courses available here, we should encourage our children to utilize the opportunity,” Yahaya said.
Justifying the fee hike, Yahaya explained that the university authorities sought to augment the government’s limited funding due to increased demands by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
“I have heard the complaints of students about the recent increase in school fees, but it didn’t stop the Academic Staff Union and other unions from going on strike because it wanted more funding to GSU, and for that, we had to double the allocation. As of today, none of the universities within the North-East subregion receive as much as what we are giving to Gombe State University,” Yahaya said.
To alleviate the financial burden on students, Yahaya urged them to access the Federal Government’s student loan facility. “The Federal Government of Nigeria, under President Bola Tinubu, has introduced the students’ loan; it’s a win-win. If you apply and pay the university, the school can develop. So, see how to access the loan, get any support from anywhere,” Yahaya advised.
Rep Aishatu Jibrin, chairperson of the board of College of Legal Studies Nafada, pledged the appointees’ commitment to excellence. “We will give our best in moving the institutions to greater heights. We pledge our loyalty to give our best to add greater value to the quality of our students.”
