200% Boarding Fee Hike: Parents Hit Streets Of Lagos, Accuse Ministry Of Corruption

Parents of students attending Lagos Model Colleges are vehemently protesting a recent 200% increase in boarding fees, accusing the Lagos State Ministry of Education of corruption and insensitivity.

Surv. Dapo Dawodu, Chairman of the Parents’ Forum of Lagos Model Colleges, raised the alarm during a meeting on Saturday, threatening to keep their children at home until the fee hike is reversed.

In a letter addressed to parents, the forum condemned the “mindless and provocative” increase, calling it “a blatant display of greed” by ministry officials.

They argued that the new fee of N100,000 per term is exorbitant, especially considering that the same exercise was previously carried out for less than N35 million.

The forum also reminded the ministry of a proposed feeding and welfare initiative they had submitted in February 2024. They emphasized that Lagos State prides itself on a free education policy, which should not exclude boarding programs.

The parents’ group urged Lagos parents to keep their children at home starting Sunday, September 15th, as a means of protest. They expressed their frustration with the government’s decision, particularly given the recent increase in parents’ living costs due to the removal of subsidies.

On Friday, September 13th, the Lagos State Government announced the increase in boarding fees for all secondary schools from N35,000 to N100,000 per term.