Otubela: Fuel Subsidy Removal Will Lead to Increase in Tuition Fees

Funmi Ogundare 

The President of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) Nigeria, Chief Yomi Otubela, has expressed concern about the removal of fuel subsidy in the country, saying the ripple effect on private school administration has led to a potential increase in tuition fees.

The move, he stated, will burden parents already grappling with economic challenges.

Otubela said this recently at a webinar organised by the association’s roundtable initiative, themed, ‘Government Policies and Resultant Effects on Private School Administration: A Case Study on the Removal of Fuel Subsidy’.

He regretted that transportation costs of goods and services have increased, forcing schools to reassess their budget allocations. 

“Moreover, the increased cost of fuel and other resources may lead to cutbacks in infrastructure development, teacher training programmes, and extracurricular activities, which are all vital components of a holistic educational experience,” he said.

The president appealed to the government to acknowledge private schools’ critical role in the country’s education ecosystem by engaging with stakeholders to address the challenges they face.

He said balancing economic considerations and the long-term implications of removing education was imperative. He added that the government must Invest in sustainable solutions to mitigate the effects of rising fuel costs and support the growth and development of private schools. 

Otubela, however, called on private school administrators to adopt prudent financial management practices, explore alternative energy sources, and collaborate to pool resources and expertise. 

The Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives, Mr Bismarck Rewane, called on the government to fix education by improving the economy.

He advised owners to engage in virtual classes to reduce costs and minimally increase fees.