As the new academic year began on Monday, September 8, parents across Nigeria expressed frustration over the sudden rise in school fees. Many struggled with the added financial pressure of paying more for their children’s education.

Private schools in different parts of the country adjusted their tuition fees just before students returned to class. This left parents with limited time to prepare for the increase.

Speaking during an interview with Arise TV, Enugu-based school owner, Gladys Ajaero, explained that the fee adjustment was not intended to exploit parents. She stressed that the rise was simply a reflection of Nigeria’s current economic reality.

According to Ajaero, running a private school is a business. She said that parents have options, as schools come with different fee ranges—from as low as ₦50,000 to as high as ₦1 million per session. She added that families should choose schools within their financial capacity.

She emphasized that the increase is linked to the rising cost of running schools. Proprietors must pay teachers, maintain school facilities, and cover salaries for cleaners and other staff. All of these expenses have gone up because of the economy.

Ajaero also noted that schools do not produce textbooks and other learning materials. Since they are purchased, and prices have risen significantly, schools are forced to pass part of the cost to parents. Even a slight markup can appear very high due to the general price increase.

She compared the situation with teachers’ wages. Last year, teachers could manage with ₦60,000 to ₦70,000, but today, even ₦100,000 is not enough because of inflation and the high cost of living. This, she said, makes it difficult for schools to keep fees low.

Her remarks sparked debate online. While some Nigerians agreed that the rise in fees is understandable given the state of the economy, others strongly opposed it, insisting that the increases are unfair to struggling parents.