As private school operators raise fees for primary and secondary students by over 30 per cent, concerns are growing that many pupils may not return when schools resume.

Nigeria’s education system has, over the years, been shaped by economic cycles, social shifts and policy reforms, all of which continue to affect school resumption across the country.

Rising living and operational costs are limiting access to education, placing it beyond the reach of many parents. Food inflation has further intensified pressure on families to meet basic needs and other expenses, leaving low-income parents and children in precarious situations.

Already, some parents are considering enrolling their wards in public schools, as they do not charge such exorbitant fees, while others remain uncertain about their next course of action. This has raised concerns about a possible increase in the number of out-of-school children.

Public schools, on average, charge significantly lower fees, typically ranging from N5,000 to N15,000 per term at the primary level and up to N25,000 per term in secondary schools. However, research, including a 2024 report by the Nigeria Education Research and Development Council (NERDC), indicates that these fees have nearly doubled over the past five years due to inflation and rising operational costs, although they remain more affordable than private school fees.

Significant increases in tuition, transportation and other ancillary charges have been announced by school owners. While some have implemented increases of between 30 and 50 per cent, others are planning similar adjustments to cope with the effects of fluctuating petroleum prices.

While some parents say fee increases and additional levies have become routine at the start of each term, some schools maintain that the adjustments were made with the consent of stakeholders, who recognise the prevailing economic conditions driven by rising inflation.

Inflation and the high cost of living have reduced disposable income, making it increasingly difficult for families to meet the financial demands of tuition, transportation and other school-related expenses. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) puts the inflation rate at 15.38 per cent.

Widespread unemployment and underemployment have also left many households without a stable income, forcing parents to delay or forgo educational commitments. Parents who once aspired to provide the best for their wards now face difficult compromises and growing frustration.

This reflects the experience of a single mother, Adeola Okunoye, who previously enrolled her two children in a reputable private school in Gbagada. With her modest income from trading and support from family members, she initially managed to meet the costs.

However, when the school raised its fees by over 30 per cent for the new term, citing the economic situation, the burden became unsustainable. She is now transferring her children to a more affordable school and may eventually enrol them in a public school next session.

Other parents who spoke with The Guardian said that while tuition increases have been relatively modest, transport costs have risen sharply.

For instance, at Little Oaks School, Maryland, a parent, Akin Olaofe, said tuition increased from N220,000 to N286,000, while the school bus fare rose from N60,000 to N100,000 per term.

At Immaculate Schools, Ogba, Lagos, a parent said fees for day students increased from N180,000 to N234,000 per term, while the school bus fare rose from N50,000 to N90,000. The proprietor of Brilliant Minds School, Akute, Ogun State, Mr Femi Anjorin, said the rising cost of running the school has necessitated fee increases to reflect current realities.

Similarly, Tower Gate Schools, Ojodu, Lagos, increased school bus fees from N40,000 to N85,000 per student, while tuition rose from N165,000 to N214,500. At Blooms Private School, Omole, Lagos, a teacher said students now pay N90,000 for the school bus, up from N50,000.

A leading private school in the Jakande area of Isolo has also increased both tuition and transport fares. The school held a meeting with parents to explain the economic situation and the need for adjustments to remain operational.

It is unbearable, parents say

Many parents and guardians have expressed concern about the economic situation, stating that if public schools were functioning effectively, they would have no reason to enrol their children in private schools.

Victor Ademuwagun, whose two children attend a private primary school in the Ketu area of Lagos State, said the increase is worrisome. “We used to pay N240,000 per child, while the bus fare was N50,000, but it is now N312,000 and N85,000, respectively, excluding uniforms and books.”

Another parent, Esther Onwochei, said the fees for her four-year-old daughter, who is going into nursery one, are N170,000, while the bus fare is N80,000.

Asked why she would not enrol the child in a public school, which is free, Onwochei said: “We all attended public schools during our days, but the dynamics are different now. This is the truth; if you want your children to excel, you have to pay heavily for their education.”

Similarly, Tobi Sosanya, a banker, said tuition and other ancillary charges take the largest share of parents’ annual income and have reduced household living standards. “My son’s school has increased the school fees and transport by over 50 per cent. I have decided to withdraw my son from the school because I cannot cope.”

Proprietors blame increase on inflation

The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) said the fuel price hike has affected its members’ financial sustainability and ability to deliver quality education.

The National President of NAPPS, Yomi Otubela, said many parents may withdraw their children from school due to rising costs, while there could also be an exodus of teachers as their monthly pay no longer covers commuting expenses.

He appealed to the government to recognise the critical role of private schools in the country’s education ecosystem and engage stakeholders to address the challenges they face.

Similarly, the National President of the Association for Formidable Educational Development (AFED), Orji Kanu, said many parents are withdrawing their wards from school because they are unable to meet transportation costs or pay school fees.

“We have teachers who have resigned because their take-home pay can no longer take them home and back to school. As it is now, I have reports of many of our members selling off their buses because the cost of operating them has tripled, and there is so much uncertainty as to what the actual price will be with rising inflation,” Kanu said.

The proprietor of Little Angels School in the Ojota area of Lagos, Ms Nwanneka Ugorji, said that given the current economic situation, fee increases are necessary to sustain effective service delivery.

“If you look at the current economic situation in the country, you will find out that things are getting out of hand. We have to make a few adjustments to see how we can take care of the cost of running the school. We have staff wages to take care of and we also have utility bills to pay,” she said.

Similarly, the proprietor of Brightville Montessori School, Gbagada, Mrs Funmi Adeyemi, said she runs a mid-tier private school with fees ranging from N180,000 to N250,000 per term.

“Diesel moved from N1150 to N2,000. We had no choice, our bus fare went from N45,000 to N70,000 per term. We cut two routes because parents there said they just couldn’t pay. We lost 11 pupils from those areas alone. Tuition also went up by 30 per cent, about N50,000 extra for the highest class. Parents groaned, but we showed them our diesel invoices and electricity bills. Still, eight families left for cheaper schools.”

Adeyemi added that the strain is evident in payment patterns, with about 30 per cent of parents requesting instalment payments before resumption.

“Normally, it’s 10 per cent and we allow three-part payment, but 50 per cent must come in before mid-term tests,” she said.

Adeyemi warned that if economic conditions do not improve by September, another fee increase will be inevitable. She appealed to the government to reduce the burden on school owners by removing duties on educational materials and granting private schools tax waivers.

Public schools in deplorable state

Some parents attributed their situation to the poor state of public schools, stating that if public schools functioned effectively, they would have little reason to enrol their children in private institutions.

For instance, as of March 2026, a substantial N97 billion allocated to basic education remained unaccessed by states.

While the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) estimates that Nigeria has about 20 million out-of-school children, data from the Federal Ministry of Education puts the figure at 16 million.

According to the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report, Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school children of primary school age, with 10 million in 2022, 9.6 million in 2020, 7.5 million in 2010 and 6.4 million in 2000.

The report also shows that the out-of-school rate among adolescents and youths of lower and upper secondary school age has risen since 2008, reaching 31 and 40 per cent respectively by 2024.

In addition, about 40 per cent of Nigerians live below the poverty line, while public spending on education remains low. As a result, households account for 72 per cent of total education expenditure in the country.

Nigeria has committed to ensuring free, quality primary and secondary education for all children by 2030, with targets to reduce the proportion of out-of-school children of primary school age to 17 per cent and that of youths in upper secondary school to 26 per cent by 2030. (The Guardian)

Update news