Gombe government hiked varsity fees by 120%

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has defended the recent 120% increase in tuition fees at Gombe State University (GSU), stating that the increment is necessary for the institution’s development.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of governing councils for higher institutions, state-owned companies, and pilgrimage boards at the Government House in Gombe, Yahaya said that the hike was aimed at improving education standards.

He urged parents and guardians to support the university, comparing fees with those in neighbouring states like Borno, Adamawa, and Bauchi states, insisting that GSU plays a crucial role in complementing federal education efforts, stressing that tertiary education is expensive and requires investment.

He said, “We emphasise more basic education and secondary school education. Look at Gombe State University as supporting what the Federal Government is doing because the responsibility of the state and local governments is to give education, healthcare, and social welfare at the basics.

“Tertiary education is very expensive; thank God we have private universities. We shouldn’t consider any investment in education to be a waste. Let’s see how to join hands with federal, state, and local governments to ensure our people get education from basic through secondary and up to the tertiary level.”