Issues on BUK new hostel fees hike

On Wednesday, November 27, 2019, the Senate of Bayero University, Kano, approved an upward review of the accommodation and other administrative charges for both post graduate and undergraduate students of the University. In a statement signed by the Director of Examination, Admission and Records (DEAR), Hajiya Amina Umar Abdullahi, the university said it had increased […]

On Wednesday, November 27, 2019, the Senate of Bayero University, Kano, approved an upward review of the accommodation and other administrative charges for both post graduate and undergraduate students of the University.

In a statement signed by the Director of Examination, Admission and Records (DEAR), Hajiya Amina Umar Abdullahi, the university said it had increased hostel fees for international postgraduate students by 33 per cent from the initial N60,000 up to N80,000. For Nigerian postgraduate students, there has been 100.8 per cent increase from N12,150 up to N25,150.  Consequently, undergraduate students will now pay N20,090 which is 66 per cent higher than the previous N12,090.

This sudden hike in the university’s accommodation and other administrative charges will no doubt pose a big challenge to the students of the university who mostly from poor  families.

It is on record that some of the students have to go for part-time jobs outside the school before feeding and taking care of themselves, while some have to look for similar jobs at the end of the session before they can raise money for their school fees, accommodation and feeding for the whole session, since their parents find it difficult to cater for their needs.

Though the University Senate has being trying to help the indigent students by providing N50,000  scholarship to some of them, it is not enough.

Comparatively speaking, it still remains vague to me why the sudden increase in the accommodation and administrative charges of the university. What is the rationale behind the increment? Is it that the hostels have been renovated? These rhetorical questions have become necessary because there is nothing conducive about the situation of the hostels.

Bayero University management should, in the interest of the general society, temper justice with mercy and reconsider the plight of these students and their parents by withdrawing the increments.

Rabi Isyaka Rabiu writes from Bayero University, Kano.