The Federal Ministry of Education has issued a clarification regarding the reported increase in school fees for federal government secondary schools, commonly known as Unity Schools. On Saturday, a memo allegedly from the ministry circulated widely on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), claiming that new students entering Unity Schools would be required to pay substantial fees, while existing students would face total charges exceeding ₦300,000.
The memo sparked significant backlash from the public, including prominent Nigerians such as Professor Chidi Odinkalu, former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). In response to the uproar, the Ministry of Education clarified that the claims were false and reiterated that Unity Schools continue to operate under a policy of free education.
In a statement released on Saturday, Binta Abdulkadir, the Ministry’s Director of Senior Secondary Education, dismissed the circulated memo as fraudulent. Abdulkadir stated, “The attention of the Ministry has been drawn to the circulation of a malicious document amongst parents purported to have emanated from the Office of the Director, Senior Secondary Education Department of the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja.”
She further emphasized that the document in question was fake and contradicted the officially approved fees and charges for Federal Unity Colleges (FUCs). Abdulkadir clarified that the highest fees/charges paid by students in Unity Schools is ₦100,000, which is applicable only to new students. This amount covers boarding fees, uniforms, textbooks, exercise books, and other necessary items. She also reaffirmed that tuition in all FUCs remains free.
The statement highlighted several red flags within the fake document, including incorrect address details for the Office of the Director, numerous spelling errors, and inconsistencies that indicate it was not an official communication from the ministry. Abdulkadir stressed that the document was a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation and cause confusion among parents and the general public.
The Ministry of Education urged the public to disregard the fraudulent memo. Parents and guardians who have concerns or doubts about the approved fees and charges for Unity Schools are encouraged to visit the official Ministry of Education website or contact the principals of the nearest Federal Unity Colleges for accurate information.
This clarification aims to reassure parents that the government remains committed to providing free education in Unity Schools and to prevent further spread of misinformation.
