Open Letter To FG, Min. of Education, And The (NUC): Stop The Fraudulent “Acceptance Fee” In Our Universities
OPEN LETTER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, AND THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES COMMISSION (NUC): STOP THE FRAUDULENT “ACCEPTANCE FEE” IN OUR UNIVERSITIES
By Adebayo Lucas oluwaseun
(MBBS, MPH, DFM, PhD)
Fellow Nigerians,
It has become necessary to raise our voices against one of the most shameful and exploitative practices currently plaguing our education system — the so-called “acceptance fee” charged by universities across the country.
Today, students who have worked hard to earn admission on merit are being forced to pay between ₦50,000 and ₦150,000 simply for the “privilege” of being accepted into a course. Let us be clear: this is fraud, this is extortion, and it must stop.
This fee never existed in the past. Our parents and older siblings entered universities by paying only their tuition and legitimate charges. Now, universities are extorting families under the guise of “acceptance”. This is nothing more than legalized admission racketeering.
How can a country battling poverty, unemployment, and economic hardship allow its universities to further punish parents and frustrate students who are struggling just to get an education? How many brilliant sons and daughters of farmers, traders, drivers, and artisans have lost their admissions because they could not pay this unnecessary and criminal fee?
We must ask: Where does this money go? Who is benefiting from this extortion? Why is government silent?
If universities need funds, let them transparently incorporate them into tuition where accountability is possible. But charging Nigerians hundreds of thousands of naira just to “accept” an admission is daylight robbery, plain and simple.
We therefore demand:
- The immediate abolition of the acceptance fee in all Nigerian universities.
- A full investigation into the monies already collected under this fraudulent practice.
- Sanctions against institutions that continue to exploit students and parents under this scheme.
Education is a right, not a privilege for the wealthy. A nation that robs its youth of affordable education is a nation preparing its own destruction.
We call on students, parents, civil society groups, and every Nigerian who believes in fairness to speak up and resist this exploitation. Let us not remain silent while our children’s future is mortgaged for profit.
Enough is enough. The fraudulent acceptance fee must end now.
In solidarity,
Dr Adebayo Lucas oluwaseun
(MBBS, MPH, DFM, PhD)
Advocate for Affordable Education
