Still on LASU school fees

Before Christendom was overrun by Pentecostalism and choruses, there was this solemn Christian song that I cherished and still cherish. The song is: ‘God works in a mysterious way, his wonders to perform…’ That song refers to God’s mysteries and wonderful ways. In Nigeria however, our politicians are also known for the human and earthly version of mysteries and wonders. More appropriately, they are used to, lying sings, wonders and unrighteous deception (2nd Thessolonians,2.9); outright signs and wonders(John 4.48) or signs and wonders to deceive shown by false christs and prophets ( Mark, 13.22 and Matthew, 24.24).

Nigerian universities have always had issues with fees: the authorities had always increased the fees in gargantuan proportions and the students had always revolted. The students always argued that the government should fund education and that the increment was astronomical.  The authorities would always argue that the government could not fund education alone, that the parents who paid the fees were not complaining and that students were being manipulated by external forces. It was so in 1978/79 when Ahmad Ali and Obasanjo jerked up accommodation and feeding fees by 200% (fromN30 to N90 pa, and from 50k to 1.50k daily). That led to the famous Ali-must-go crises when we argued that with 4 students in a room, N360 was enough to rent two rooms at Agbowo (opposite University of Ibadan Gate)

The LASU fee hike was peculiar in several regards. The first was the background and philosophy of the school. ‘Baba Kekere’ Jakande and his UPN established the school in 1983 with the principal objective of providing education to Lagosians irrespective of social or economic status. Indeed, at inception, LASU was a tuition-free institution but when soldiers came on board, the fees gradually rose from N90 to N250. It was Tinubu who raised it to N500. The second peculiarity was the quantum of the increment. I am not a quant but it is obvious that the grandfathers of quantitative analyses expected that increments should be a maximum of 100! That was why they designed percentages! But in Nigeria, we do things in multiples of 100s or even in thousands. First, Fashola increased LASU fees from N500 to N25000!   Then, emboldened by that and in line with a new found spirit of progressivism, he hiked it from 25000 to a range of 200000-400000! You can compute the percentage increase yourself because my little brain cannot contain that! Thirdly, this government claims to be Awoist-progressive. And I asked: what kind of progressivism thrives in keeping more people out of school? I also asked, whether one liked Awo or not, whether he was a nationalist or regionalist, was the first thing associated with him and his politics not free education? We also consider the socioeconomic situation under which this was done: an era of rising cost of living, dwindling standard of living, mass poverty and minimum wage of N18000. You now add the arrogance of it all: take it or leave it; quality education costs good money and those who want it have to pay for it. And these are statements from politicians; people who signed social contract with the citizens? Why was it that those who first introduced fees at LASU were soldiers? It was because they owed no allegiance to anybody! Of course, if there is any state government that cannot claim financial incapacitation in funding education, it is Lagos.

Our people say that ‘kwakam puta, kwakam e soro ya’ (a strange problem demands a strange solution!). The peculiarity of the LASU fee hike led to a peculiar response; a response that lasted for years, involved all the unions in the university and involved organisations outside the university. After a bout a student’s protests that started affecting traffic and activities across the state and after a high-handed approach proved abortive, the fees were reduced by 38-60%. This was preceded by committees, memoranda, executive council deliberations and sustained marketing of government position on the matter. Even then, the government refused to give full details, arguing that it did not want to usurp the responsibilities of the appropriate organs of the university. But the students still continued to grumble and during the 19th convocation ceremonies, Governor Fashola, reduced the fees to the original N25000, citing students civilized conduct and economic realities of the day. No committee was set up; no press appearances and no respect for the organs of the university. What happened to all the arguments of the state government in the last few years? How come they suddenly saw the light and agreed that they could fund LASU with little contribution from students? Is this a genuine road-to Damascus experience or a fake repentance that would soon fizzle away? Is the N25000 sustainable and what will the next government do?  Anyway, as at today, the fee in LASU is N25000 and I felicitate with all the beneficiaries of that change of heart though somebody has called it suspicious generosity. I also feel that Fashola should not have put himself, his government and LASU through that experience. But there is one nagging thought that refuses to go away: whether this development in any way related to what happened in Ekiti state?

Few weeks ago, (29/7/14 and 5/8/14) we discussed the ‘ekiti syndrome’, in which some otherwise credible politicians started reversing their signature-tune policies so as to avert the political awe and shock that occurred in Ekiti State. The height of that was when the Comrade Governor pardoned all the fake and cheating teachers in Edo State.  It will also be recalled that last month, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police announced that the ban on Okada was still in force.  And when I looked around, I found that the okada and their riders have re-surfaced in all parts of Lagos. And if I would not be accused for being an accessory to the crime, I will confess thus. Recently, my car went ‘on strike’ on 3rd mainland bridge and by the time I maneuvered it though Herber Macaulay to UNILAG, I had less than 1 hour to meet an appointment at VI. Well, the son of man got okada transport from UNILAG main gate to Eko Hotels and of course, I got there on time. Thus, like the LASU fees, even the ban on okada will soon be reversed or it will be observed in breach. Politicians indeed work in mysterious ways!..

Ik Muo