Unity Colleges in Nigeria Boil Over Illegal Levies, N600k Admission Scandal
By Adesina Wahab
Trouble is brewing in Nigeria’s Federal Unity Colleges as parents raise serious allegations of illegal levies and admission fraud against school authorities and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs). Several parents claim they paid as much as ₦600,000 to secure admissions for their children into the so-called “Unity Schools.”
Parents Decry Illegal Admission Payments
Investigations reveal that despite meeting admission requirements, students are being denied spots unless their parents pay large sums unofficially. A parent confided, “This principal is the worst we’ve had. Even students who qualify on merit are asked to pay ₦600,000 to gain admission.”
These accusations have led concerned parents to petition the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, calling for an urgent probe into the admission processes and financial dealings of PTAs in schools like Queen’s College, King’s College, and others in Lagos.
PTA Levies Flout Government Directives
At Queen’s College, parents say they are charged ₦21,500 per term as PTA levies—far above the ₦12,000 maximum set by the Federal Ministry of Education. Complaints also include being forced to pay for optional items like religious fees and furniture during visiting days.
A copy of the parents’ petition reads in part: “Queen’s College operates in violation of the Ministry’s directive. It’s now more like a private institution, with PTA-employed teachers outnumbering federal teachers.”
PTA Chairman Defends Actions
In response, Queen’s College PTA Chairman, Oluwayomi Ojo, defended the levy increases, blaming government underfunding and poor infrastructure. He claimed the PTA has used the funds to improve student living conditions, pay teachers, and fix broken facilities.
“We are trying to prevent our children from learning in unhealthy environments. Without PTA support, the situation would be worse,” he explained, adding that they intend to reduce some charges following parents’ complaints.
Other Unity Colleges Face Similar Chaos
King’s College and the Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba, are also engulfed in similar controversies. In King’s College, compulsory levies beyond the approved PTA fee include charges for diesel, teachers’ salaries, and international language lessons. At FSTC Yaba, parents have rejected a recent PTA fee increase from ₦7,500 to ₦12,000, citing a lack of accountability.
At Federal Government College, Ijanikin, a past PTA leadership crisis involving ₦40 million in alleged mismanagement led to EFCC involvement. Even years later, the distrust lingers, with parents still demanding transparency.
Parents Question New Payment Platform
Parents have also questioned the switch from Remita to Flutterwave for payment processing, pointing out the higher transaction fees. “Why move to a platform that charges more?” one parent asked.
Minister Promises Reform
Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has condemned the overreach of PTAs in Unity Colleges, insisting that they are oversight bodies, not school administrators. He revealed plans to audit PTA-employed teachers, some of whom have been in service for over 20 years earning as little as ₦30,000.
He promised that qualified PTA teachers would be absorbed into the federal civil service and announced a ₦40 billion federal intervention to rehabilitate Unity Colleges nationwide.
“The PTA is not a parallel school authority,” said Alausa. “We are working to restore sanity and improve infrastructure in our Unity Colleges.”
