Abuja Private School Owners Reject Wike's Fee Hike

FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike 

Private Schools in Abuja might raise tuition as Wike lifts operational fees

The Federal Capital Territory's Minister, Nyesom Wike, has authorized a rise in the operating costs for private schools in Abuja; this move may result in an extraordinary increase in tuition.

Each school will receive a bill based on the number of enrolled students and the tuition that they have paid under the newly approved tax regime.

The development would go into effect in January 2024, according to reports citing a memo written by Mudi Muhammad, Head of Account, Department of Quality Assurance, Education Secretariat, titled “Review of private school operation charges in FCT.”

The previous rate of charges expires. According to the memo,

“Following the approval of the Honourable Minister of the FCT for a review of operational charges (annual charge, accreditation, application, re-accreditation, commencement and recognition) payable by private schools in the FCT.

“You are by this letter informed that the old rate of charges ceases to be valid as of 31/12/2023 and the new rate of charges effective 1/1/2024.

“Under the new rate, each school is billed according to the tuition charged and the number of enrollments. As a consequence, each school has its peculiar bill. You should also note that all application(s) are now N40,000.”

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In a correspondence addressed to the Education Secretariat, the National Association of Proprietors of Private School Owners in the Federal Capital Territory declined the proposed increase. They stated that a tax review of this kind during a period when the federal government had pledged to do away with multiple taxes would only drive up the cost of education beyond the means of numerous parents, consequently increasing the number of children who are not in school.