Falana Criticizes FG and Lagos Government Over N100,000 School Fees Hike

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has condemned the recent increase in school fees by both the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government, describing the move as illegal.

The Federal Government had in July 2023 raised the fees for Unity Schools from N45,000 to N100,000 per term, marking a hike of over 120%. Similarly, the Lagos State Government recently announced an increase in fees for state-owned boarding schools from N35,000 to N100,000 per term.

Falana, speaking on the matter, argued that the fee hike violated the Child’s Rights Law. He emphasized that the increase, which now exceeds the national minimum wage of N70,000, makes it nearly impossible for workers to afford education for their children.

“The implication is that a worker earning N70,000 a month would only make N28,000 per term, meaning they can no longer afford to send even one child to Unity Schools or secondary schools in Lagos,” Falana stated.

Citing the Child’s Rights Act and Lagos State Child’s Rights Law, which guarantees free and compulsory education from primary to junior secondary school, Falana vowed to challenge the fee hike in court. He argued that the imposition of N100,000 fees on students in junior secondary schools in both Unity Schools and Lagos State schools was unlawful.

Falana has pledged to take legal action to protect the rights of students and ensure the enforcement of free education policies under the Child's Rights Laws applicable nationwide.