Human Rights Lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has strongly criticized the recent hike in school fees by the Federal and Lagos State Governments, labeling it as “illegal.” In July 2023, the Federal Government raised fees for Unity Schools from N45,000 to N100,000 per term, an increase of over 120%. Similarly, Lagos State increased fees for state-owned boarding schools from N35,000 to N100,000.
Falana condemned the move, calling it a violation of the Child’s Rights Law. He argued that the new fees, which surpass the national minimum wage of N70,000, make it impossible for a worker to afford schooling for even one child. Citing the Child’s Rights Act, which mandates free and compulsory education from primary to junior secondary school, Falana vowed to challenge the decision in court, insisting the fees are illegal.
He also pointed out that many state governments have not accessed over N45.7 billion in matching grants from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) meant to support education from 2020 to 2023. Falana is determined to contest the legality of these school fees in the appropriate High Court.