Welcome to today’s roundup of Nigerian newspaper headlines, accompanied by our advocacy-focused calls for government action on pressing issues that impact citizens.
1. The Guardian: NELFUND Kicks as Institutions Hike Tuition Fees, Charges for Profit
The Guardian reports that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has expressed concern over the astronomical increase in tuition fees by some institutions, ranging between 20 and 521 percent.
A document obtained from the Fund’s internal risk management unit noted that the recent surge in tuition fees across various institutions, particularly for programmes such as Medicine, Nursing, and Law, has placed a significant financial burden on students and strained the Fund’s operations.
Our Take: If our universities have suddenly mistaken tuition fees for oil barrels, perhaps it is time the Federal Ministry of Education reminded them that students are not crude resources to be exploited. NELFUND must hold firm, pause disbursements where greed reigns, enforce transparent fee guidelines, and give students a voice to report these academic ‘business ventures’ masquerading as institutions of learning.
2. Daily Trust: Senate to Debate Genocide Claim against Christians in Nigeria
Daily Trust reports that a motion sponsored by Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) and co-sponsored by Senators Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto North) and Ibrahim Bomai (Yobe South), over alleged systemic genocide against Christians in the country is set for debate by the Senate at the resumption of the plenary on Tuesday.
Our Take: Rather than spending precious plenary time debating semantics and ‘dangerous misrepresentations’, the Senate should channel its energy into addressing the real danger, Nigeria’s unchecked insecurity that continues to claim innocent lives regardless of faith. Section 14 of the 1999 Constitution clearly states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government, not public relations management. It would be refreshing, for once, to see our lawmakers hold the executive to account, not just correct narratives.
3. Vanguard: Federal Highways of Horror: Collapsed Roads Making Life Unbearable for Travellers
Daily reports across Nigeria have continued to feature this frightening, albeit alarming, reality: there is a surge in fatal auto crashes nationwide due to the deteriorating road network.
Indeed, more than 80 per cent of these accidents, according to findings by Vanguard, have been linked to the appalling condition of major roads and ineffective highway management authorities.
Our Take: Perhaps it is time the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), and the Federal Ministry of Works traded their endless inspection tours and photo ops for actual asphalt. Nigerians deserve roads, not obstacle courses masquerading as highways, because at this rate, travellers don’t need witches or wizards to meet untimely ends; the roads are already doing a fine job.
