Shehu Sani kicks against commercialising tertiary education

As public universities across Nigeria begin to increase fees payable by students, a former Nigerian Senator, Shehu Sani, has rejected what he called the ‘commercialisation of university education’.

Sani, in a post on his verified X handle on Wednesday, condemned the development, saying it is not ideal for a developing nation like Nigeria.

According to him, commercialising public universities would be dangerous for the future of the younger ones and that of the nation.

The former Kaduna Central Senator said the nation is on the verge of pushing the children of the poor masses out of school due to an increase in tuition.

He pleaded that the generation that enjoyed free education should strive to give the same to the younger ones.

His words: “As a developing country, commercialising public university education is a dangerous experiment with the future of our young ones and that of the country. We are at the verge of pushing the children of the poor out of school. The generation that ‘got’ free education should ‘give’ free education.”

DAILY POST reports that some universities, polytechnics and colleges of education have hiked school fees by about 200 per cent.

For example, the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) in Ijagun, Ogun State, has increased tuition from N65,000 to N240,0000.