Private primary and secondary school owners across South-West Nigeria have defended fee hikes of up to 30 per cent, citing soaring operational expenses as families finalise preparations for the 2026/2027 academic session starting on Monday, 14 September.
State governments in Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo have all set the same resumption date, prompting a last-minute rush among parents to secure textbooks, uniforms, and school supplies. Simultaneously, school administrators are concluding staff meetings, finalising timetables, and completing facility upgrades.
To absorb mounting overheads, driven by surging fuel prices, skyrocketing rents, infrastructure maintenance, and higher staff wages, proprietors have adjusted tuition rates by 10 to 30 per cent, alongside increases in ancillary charges like transport and learning materials.
In Lagos, where operational costs have escalated sharply, some proprietors reported severe rental hikes. Lateef, a school owner in Ebute-Metta, raised fees by 30 per cent after his rent jumped from ₦3 million to ₦5 million. He noted that uncertainty surrounding fuel prices is forcing many smaller institutions to abandon transport services altogether, observing that “only big schools can keep running bus services at the moment due to fuel price uncertainty.”
Similarly, Aliyu, who operates a school in the Satellite area of Lagos, saw tuition in his locality rise between 20 and 30 per cent after his landlord increased his rent from ₦4 million to ₦9 million, with annual hikes expected. He explained that many school heads are attempting to cushion the blow by keeping base tuition increases modest while adjusting secondary charges, stating, “what we do is increase those ancillary charges while making minimal increases in school fees.”
In Surulere, Lagos, proprietor Ikenna attributed a 20 per cent fee adjustment to facility enhancements, such as spending ₦3 million on interactive whiteboards, alongside the escalating cost of housing and retaining skilled educators. He added that local market dynamics often compel nearby institutions to match fee adjustments.
Outfits in Ogun and Oyo states have reported similar pressures, albeit with varying intensity. Bola, a proprietor in Magboro, Ogun State, cited a 20 per cent increase primarily tied to transport costs and teacher retention. He warned that “teachers are looking for better pay” and noted that “schools that cannot increase teachers’ salaries are closing down.”
Meanwhile, Isiaka, who leads a private school association in Ogun State, reported average tuition increases of 15 per cent alongside a 10 per cent rise in textbook costs. Despite the financial strain on households, Isiaka noted that the higher fees have not led to a significant shift of pupils into public schools.
In Ibadan, Oyo State, proprietor Morayo managed a more conservative 10 per cent fee hike, supported by a modest two per cent rise in local textbook prices.