The Federal Government’s recent decision to raise the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) levy in Federal Unity Colleges has stirred significant backlash from parents, many of whom are expressing frustration over the hefty increase. The new levy, which more than doubles the previous amount, has been widely perceived as an unnecessary burden at a time when families are already grappling with financial challenges.
In a circular dated March 18, 2025, and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, the government announced that the PTA levy would increase from N5,700 to N12,000 per term. This hike, which represents an increase of over 100%, has raised concerns among parents, particularly as it coincides with an earlier tuition fee hike from N45,000 to N100,000 per student in the previous months.
The circular, which was addressed to the Principals of all Federal Unity Colleges (FUCs), stated that the increase in PTA levies was prompted by requests from various PTA bodies within the colleges. These requests were made to help meet the financial obligations of the schools. The Ministry of Education noted that the new PTA levy would take effect from the third term of the 2024/2025 academic session.
The decision has sparked anger across the country, with many parents feeling burdened by the increased cost of education. Several have expressed their dissatisfaction, questioning the timing of the hike, particularly given the current economic climate in Nigeria.
A parent, who chose to remain anonymous, whose daughter attends Federal Government College, Ijanikin, expressed frustration with the timing of the increase. “This is uncalled for. Not at this point in time,” he said. “People are already burdened by taxes, levies, and other payments to the government in many ways. The economic crunch is weighing down heavily on people.”
He also raised concerns over the administration of the PTA levy in some colleges. “In many unity colleges, the issue of the administration of the PTA levy has created trouble. Only recently, the manner in which the levy was administered at our school resulted in court cases and media discussions. How are we sure that the new funds will be properly managed? Some principals are feasting on the levy by conniving with PTA leaders,” he added.
Beyond the PTA levy, many schools also impose additional charges, further increasing the financial strain on parents. For example, parents at King’s College, Lagos, are required to pay for items such as access cards (N1,000), diesel/waste management (N4,000), education levies (N2,000), feeding support (N2,000), and PTA teacher wages (N5,700). Optional services like laundry (N9,000), barbing (N1,000), and mid-day meals (N15,000) are also available at additional costs.
This accumulation of fees has led some parents to argue that the increase in PTA levies is merely a clever way to raise tuition fees indirectly. Many fear that without proper oversight, these funds could be mismanaged, exacerbating an already difficult situation for families.
The National Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) has also weighed in on the situation, criticizing the state of facilities in Unity Colleges and calling for increased government attention to the education sector. NAPTAN’s National President, Alhaji Haruna Danjuma, pointed out that schools like King’s College, Lagos, which are considered elite institutions, are in poor condition. He expressed concern that if such schools are in a deplorable state, the conditions in other Unity Colleges could be even worse.
“We have been calling for adequate attention to education in the country,” Danjuma said. “No nation can develop beyond the level and state of its education system. If Unity Colleges that are deemed to be special schools are in such deplorable states, what do we expect to see in other schools?”
Danjuma also highlighted the overcrowded classrooms, inadequate furniture, and insufficient teaching staff in many public schools. In some cases, it is the PTA that hires additional teachers to fill the gap, adding to the already heavy financial burden on parents.
He highlighted that the government must do more to improve the state of facilities, teaching staff, and student welfare across schools. “The food being served to students in the hostels is not good enough. We are also using this opportunity to call on state governments to cooperate with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in the funding of projects and payment of counterpart funding,” he added.
While the government’s decision to increase the PTA levy is attracting the most attention, it is not the only fee burden parents are facing. Apart from the PTA fees, many schools also impose other charges for various services. These include maintenance fees, feeding costs, and even optional services like laundry and meals, which parents are encouraged to pay for.
At schools like King’s College in Lagos, the total cost of fees can quickly escalate beyond what many families can comfortably afford. Parents are often forced to make difficult choices, with some opting to pay for essential services while forgoing others. This added financial pressure is especially difficult for families already struggling with inflation and high living costs in the country.
The increase in the PTA levy also raises questions about financial transparency and accountability in the management of funds within the Unity Colleges. Some parents fear that the money collected may not be used efficiently and may end up benefiting only a few individuals rather than improving the overall quality of education in the schools.
The lack of transparency in the administration of PTA funds has been a recurring issue in several schools, and many parents are skeptical about the effectiveness of the system. With the rise in levies and fees, parents are calling for more accountability in how these funds are managed and used to improve the schools.
As the situation develops, many are urging the government to pay more attention to the overall state of education in the country. The call for greater investment in education, more resources for schools, and better management of fees is becoming louder.
Parents and educational advocates believe that raising levies and tuition fees should not be the first solution to improving education in Nigeria. Instead, they are calling for a more comprehensive approach that includes better infrastructure, more qualified teachers, and a more transparent system for handling school funds.
The PTA levy increase has brought to the forefront the long-standing issues of funding and management in Nigerian schools. As the debate continues, it is clear that more must be done to address the underlying problems and ensure that education in the country is accessible, affordable, and of high quality for all students.
