AFRICAN DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS (ADC)
QS AMINU ABUBAKAR SULEIMAN, FNIQS
AAS CAMPAIGN ORGANISATION
Purposeful Representation | Strategic Legislation | Sustainable Development
PRESS RELEASE
Date: 24 October, 2026
QS AMINU CALLS FOR SUSPENSION AND TRANSPARENT REVIEW OF REPORTED PAAU SCHOOL FEE INCREASE
Urges Kogi State Government to prioritise educational affordability, stakeholder consultation and sustainable university funding
Idah, Kogi State — QS Aminu Abubakar Suleiman, FNIQS, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Senatorial Candidate for Kogi East in the 2027 general elections, has expressed concern over reports of significant increases in school fees at Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, and called for a transparent review of the policy in the interest of students, parents and the long-term sustainability of public tertiary education.
QS Aminu acknowledged the increasing financial pressures facing public universities, including rising operational costs, infrastructure maintenance, academic development and staff welfare. He nevertheless emphasised that measures introduced to address institutional funding challenges must be carefully evaluated against their implications for educational access, affordability and social equity.
He urged the Kogi State Government and the university management to consider suspending the implementation of any disputed increases pending a transparent assessment of their justification, affordability and potential consequences for students and their families.
The senatorial candidate further expressed concern over reports suggesting that the revised fees may be connected to efforts to harmonise charges across state-owned tertiary institutions, including Kogi State University, Kabba, and Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara.
He noted that any harmonisation policy should take account of differences in institutional mandates, academic programmes, student populations, funding structures, operational requirements and existing infrastructure.
While recognising the government’s responsibility to maintain viable and adequately funded universities, QS Aminu stressed that financial sustainability should not be pursued without adequate consideration of the economic circumstances of students and parents.
He therefore called for the publication of the relevant approved fee schedules, including the previous and revised charges, and a clear explanation of the financial and policy considerations informing the proposed adjustments.
He outlined five areas requiring particular attention:
1. Transparency and accountability: Publication of the approved fee schedules, the extent of the changes and the financial justification for the adjustments.
2. Affordability and educational access: An assessment of the implications for students from low-income and economically vulnerable households, including the risk of interrupted studies or reduced enrolment.
3. Stakeholder consultation: Meaningful engagement with students, parents, academic and non-academic staff, university management and other relevant stakeholders before implementing major fee adjustments.
4. Institutional sustainability: A broader examination of government subventions, internally generated revenue, infrastructure requirements, academic quality and staff welfare to establish an equitable and sustainable funding arrangement.
5. Student protection measures: Consideration of targeted bursaries, scholarships, phased implementation or flexible payment arrangements where justified by verified financial circumstances.
QS Aminu further observed that PAAU serves an important educational and socioeconomic function within Kogi East and beyond. Policies affecting access to the institution therefore deserve careful consideration, particularly where they may place additional financial burdens on families already facing significant economic pressures.
He maintained that improving the quality of public university education requires a balanced approach that recognises both the legitimate funding needs of institutions and the responsibility of government to protect reasonable access to higher education.
He consequently encouraged the Kogi State Government, university authorities and relevant stakeholders to pursue a consultative, evidence-based resolution that safeguards educational opportunity, strengthens institutional accountability and supports long-term academic excellence.
The AAS Campaign Organisation reiterates that the candidate’s position is founded on the principles of responsible governance, equitable opportunity, transparent public financial management and sustainable human capital development.
Education must remain accessible, institutions must remain sustainable, and public policy decisions must be supported by transparency, evidence and meaningful consultation.
ISSUED BY:
AAS CAMPAIGN ORGANISATION
Office of the Press Secretary
QS Aminu Abubakar Suleiman, FNIQS
ADC Senatorial Candidate, Kogi East (2027)
Idah, Kogi State, Nigeria
