A Professor of Islamic Law in the University of Ilorin in Kwara State, AbdulRazaq Alaro has declared that it is too early for some institutions in Nigeria to start hiking tuition and other fees over the Student Loan Bill recently signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Alaro who is also the Proprietor of As-Sunnah Schools made the assertion during an interview with newsmen on the sidelines of Graduation and Formal Opening of As-Sunnah College building in Ilorin.
He explained that some institutions are putting the cart before the horse, stating that the Student Loan Bill has just being signed into law.
According to him, such policy has not taken effect while the citizens are yet to see practically the impact on the society.
The don lamented that it is too early for institutions to start increasing their fees, if that is coming as a result of the bill that has been signed into law.
Alaro advised that institutions should exercise a little patient so that people will start feeling the impact and it will make it easy for them to assimilate and accommodate the development before such actions are taken.
The don who is an expert in Sharia Law, observed however that the tuition hike was inevitable because it was not only the costs of foods and petrol that was increasing as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy, but that of education too has increased.
“It is a reality, but we have to do it in a way that it has human face, and will make it easy for people to welcome and accommodate,” Alaro said.
He admonished Nigerians to adhere strictly to the rules and regulations binding on the citizens of the country as Nigerians have a duty to follow such policies and do whatever is expected of them, whether they are being watched or not.
The Don also appealed to Nigerian leaders to realise that the citizens have their trust and must be discharged to the best of their ability.
“We are going to be accountable for our deeds. Allah will ask them, have they discharge the trust bestowed on them. Just like we are going to be accountable for our performance,” he said.
Alaro who spoke on the graduation ceremony explained that the As-Sunnah Academy are group of primary and secondary schools committed to impacting Western, Islamic and moral knowledge for practice.
According to him, the schools are dedicated to achieving dual excellence for the development of the country.
Confidence Okwuchi
