From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman has defended the recent increase in the students school fees explaining that the fee adjustment process was carried out procedurally and meticulously with critical stakeholders fully represented in the Committee that was set sup by the management for the purpose.
He said that the committee chaired by the Deputy Rector, Dr. Samuel Taiwo Olowo, also included Principal Officers, Deans, Directors, the executives of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), the National Association of Kogi State Students (NAKOSS), the Non-Indigenous Students’ Association, Alumni Association, Chaplain, Imam, Dean of Student Services, Director of Legal Services, the Chief Security Officer, among others.
He noted that, the Committee, after extensive consultations, made recommendations for an upward adjustment of school fees in line with prevailing economic realities.
The Rector gave the explanation at an interactive engagement between the Polytechnic management with representatives of Student Unions to address concerns over the recent upward review of school fees as students return to the campus for First Semester 2025/2026 academic session.
According to Professor Salisu Usman Ogbo “The engagement was aimed at fostering dialogue and reinforce mutual understanding on the subject for a smooth take – off of the first semester of the academic session. The meeting was specially called amid rumors of a purported planned protest by some individuals who are linking their planned action to the students of the Polytechnic”
Prof Usman pointed out that the last time school fees was reviewed in the Polytechnic was in 2018 (7 years ago), which was when pump price of petrol rose from N97 to N145 per litre and diesel from N120 to N200 per litre.
Currently, he stressed, the pump price of petrol sells at N890 per litre while diesel costs N1,200 per litre. Similarly, the price of learning materials particularly a ream of paper which was sold at N500 in 2018 is now sold at N5,500.
He added it was the basis of these realities that the Committee recommended an upward review of school fees, using the Kwara State Polytechnic template.
This choice, the Rector explained, was informed by historical ties, as Kogi State was carved out from both Kwara and Benue States, with Lokoja particularly under Kwara, making it logical to adopt the Kwara State Polytechnic template.
The recommendations were subsequently processed and approved accordingly by the Kogi State House of Assembly with effect from the 2025/2026 academic session.
He further explained that the approved fee template is to begin with the new students only, while the returning students will continue with the 2018 fee structure.
He, therefore, emphasised that the increment is necessary to sustain quality education.
Prof. Usman further highlighted the Polytechnic’s commitment to strengthening security, enhancing health services, and expanding extracurricular programs, stressing that sustainable funding is essential to maintaining a conducive learning environment.
The Rector also cautioned students against being lured by any external bodies who have ulterior motives which are obviously against the overall academic progress of the students, noting that management is not unaware of the purported protest by those that have no direct relationship with Kogi State Polytechnic.
He urged them to remain focused on their studies and not allow themselves to be misled.
In a show of unity, all the students’ representatives at the meeting unanimously distanced themselves from the purported planned protest, affirming that their leadership had neither endorsed nor organized any of such action.
