Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, said the recent 120% increase in tuition fees at Gombe State University (GSU) is necessary to sustain and improve the institution’s quality of education.
Speaking on Thursday at the swearing-in ceremony for the governing councils of higher institutions, state-owned company boards, and pilgrimage boards at the Government House Banquet Hall, Yahaya urged stakeholders to support the decision.
He acknowledged concerns over the fee adjustment but stressed that tertiary education is costly and requires additional funding beyond government allocations.
According to him, the increase aligns with efforts to enhance education while ensuring sustainability.
“I have heard the complaints of students, but even with the previous fees, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other unions still went on strike demanding more funding. To address this, we had to double GSU’s allocation,” Yahaya said.
He further urged students to explore alternative funding sources, including the Federal Government’s student loan scheme, to ease financial burdens.
The governor also emphasized the need for parents and students to appreciate GSU’s role in complementing federal education efforts, noting that its fees remain competitive compared to institutions in the North-East region.
Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated boards, the chairperson of the College of Legal Studies, Nafada, Rep. Aishatu Jibrin, assured that appointees would work towards elevating the standards of their respective institutions.