Nigeria’s Unity Colleges Face Backlash Over Rampant Illegal Fees and Admission Fraud
Federal Government Colleges (FGCs), popularly known as unity schools, are embroiled in controversy as parents expose systemic corruption, illegal levies, and admission racketeering. With accusations of extortion and mismanagement, the crisis has prompted urgent calls for intervention from Nigeria’s Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa.
Admission Racketeering: Parents Pay Up to N600,000 for Slots
Parents allege that securing admission into prestigious Lagos unity colleges like King’s College and Queen’s College requires bribes as high as N600,000. Despite meeting merit-based thresholds, families claim principals and teachers demand payments to process placements.
“Even qualified students are forced to pay. This principal is the worst we’ve seen,” a parent disclosed anonymously. The pressure for spots in Lagos schools, coupled with limited transparency, has turned admissions into a lucrative black market.
PTA Levies Skyrocket Despite Federal Directives
In March 2025, the Federal Ministry of Education capped PTA levies at N12,000 per term. However, investigations reveal rampant violations:
- Queen’s College, Lagos: Charges N21,500, including compulsory “religious fees” (N1,000) and seating fees (N200) during visits.
- King’s College: Adds N5,700 for teacher wages and N2,000 for diesel to the base levy.
- Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC), Yaba: Parents reject a jump from N7,500 to N12,000, citing accountability gaps.
Aggrieved parents petitioned the Education Minister, stating: “Queen’s College operates like a private institution, with PTA-hired teachers outnumbering federal staff. We’re exhausted fighting this exploitation.”
PTA Chairmen Defend Levies Amid Parental Fury
Oluwayomi Ojo, PTA Chairman at Queen’s College, justified the hikes in a WhatsApp message:
N19,000 levy funds infrastructure repairs, teacher salaries (as low as N25,000/month), and essentials like fans and water systems.
“Would you let your child learn in 90-year-old dilapidated classrooms? This is a sacrifice for their future,” Ojo argued.
Parents, however, remain unconvinced. “Why move payments to Flutterwave, which charges higher fees than Remita?” one questioned. Others criticized sibling discounts as token gestures.
EFCC Probes and School-Specific Scandals
Federal Government College, Ijanikin: A N40 million PTA fund misuse scandal led to suspensions, EFCC complaints, and unresolved lawsuits.
FSTC Yaba: Parents accuse the PTA of lacking transparency, rejecting levy hikes without accountability.
King’s College: Optional fees like **N15,000 for mid-day meals and N9,000 for laundry strain budgets.
Education Minister Vows Crackdown on Rogue PTAs
Dr. Tunji Alausa condemned PTAs overstepping their role as “voluntary oversight bodies”:
N40 billion approved to rehabilitate infrastructure, fence schools, and install solar energy.
Audits underway to absorb qualified PTA teachers into federal payrolls, ending exploitative N30,000–N50,000 monthly wages.
“PTAs are not parallel administrations. We’ll restore order in unity colleges,”*he pledged.
Parents Demand Accountability and Relief
With levies now exceeding official school fees, families urge immediate reforms:
Scrap arbitrary charges for religion, seating, and “feeding support.”
Investigate admission fraud and prosecute culprits.
- Enforce federal fee caps and transparent financial reporting.
“Next term, I’ll budget for PTA levies before school fees. This madness must stop,” a frustrated parent lamented.
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