The Nigerian education sector is under intense pressure as schools implement steep fee increases, exacerbating financial challenges for families already grappling with inflation and fuel price surges. A BusinessDay survey of 140 parents revealed that 85.7 percent reported tuition hikes, with some schools raising fees by over 40 percent. At Honeyland School, primary fees rose from N350,000 to N500,000 (43 percent), while Kembos Schools increased secondary school tuition by 47 percent, from N340,000 to N500,000.
Schools Cite Rising Costs, Parents Struggle with “No Payment, No Entry” Policies
Parents like Theresa Onye, whose children’s fees increased from N145,000 to over N200,000, describe the burden as unsustainable. I really don’t know what to do; the school gave a stern ‘no payment, no entry’ policy and doesn’t accommodate part payment,
she said. School operators attribute the hikes to soaring operational costs, including fuel, rent, and teacher salaries. Iyabo Nnokam, a school owner in Rivers State, explained that running costs have become so high, teachers’ salaries, fuelling the generators, repairs and maintenance, among others, besides the government levies.
Additional financial pressure comes from transportation and learning materials. School bus fares have nearly doubled in major cities, with Linus Nwadike paying N130,000 for his children’s fares this term, up from N90,000. Exercise book prices have also risen sharply, with some schools mandating branded materials at N1,000 each, up from N700 last year.
Despite these challenges, some schools offer staggered payment plans. BusinessDay reported that 57.1 percent of affected parents received such options, though many schools remain inflexible. Joel Ibidapo, a parent, noted that the cost of books changed from N35,000 to N40,000 because she is resuming SS3,
highlighting the cumulative impact on household budgets.
UK Gas Storage Crisis Sparks Warnings Over Winter Energy Bills
Meanwhile, UK households face their own energy crisis as gas storage levels hit a critical low. A DESNZ spokesperson stated, We remain open to discussing proposals on all gas storage sites, as long as it provides value for money for taxpayers.
Economist Ángel Talavera of Oxford Economics described the situation as a glass half full, and a glass half empty
scenario. While wholesale gas prices have dropped from the 2022 crisis levels, households and businesses will still face higher bills. It’s serious, but not catastrophic,
he said, adding that weather conditions will play a crucial role. If you have a warmer winter than average, that will be great for demand,
he noted, though a colder winter could reverse this trend.
A recent spike in borrowing costs saw 10-year gilt yields rise to 5.15%, a level that, while below the 2008 peak, still signals financial strain. The potential impact of the El Niño weather pattern on winter temperatures remains a key unknown, with historical data showing mixed outcomes in previous El Niño years.
Dual Crises Intensify Household Financial Pressure
The combined effect of rising education costs in Nigeria and energy insecurity in the UK underscores a broader trend of households facing escalating financial pressures. In Nigeria, the education sector’s reliance on alternative energy sources, such as generators, has compounded costs, while in the UK, the gas storage shortfall risks driving up energy bills despite lower wholesale prices.
For Nigerian parents, the immediate challenge is balancing school fees with other essential expenses. The house rent is there. It is really frustrating for me; however, the children must go to school,
said Roseline Imoh, a parent in Festac. In the UK, the focus remains on government and industry responses to the gas storage crisis, with O’Shea urging action to prevent a potential shortfall that could impact millions of households.
