LASUSTECH Fee Hike: Management Reduces Certificate fee

Safiu Kehinde

The management of Lagos State University of Science and Technology (formerly Lagos State Polytechnic) has finally reduced the increased certificate fee from #30,000 to #10,000 after several backlash from the Polytechnic students in the institution over the controversial increment.

As contained in a statement signed by the University's registrar, David Semawon Ogunbe, the management decided to review the sudden 500 percent increment following complaints tendered by the Polytechnic’s Students Union Government and the intervention of the Vice Chancellor who submitted that the increment should not be more than 100 percent of the initial amount.

The statement read in part; “Sequel to the complaint expressed by the Students Union Government of the Polytechnic in a letter dated 24th June, 2023 on the increase in Certificate Processing fee from N5.000 ( Five Thousand Naira) only to N30.000 (Thirty Thousand Naira) only and the intervention of the Vice Chancellor, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Polytechnic Council has given executive approval to the submission of the Vice Chancellor that maximum review fees should not be more than 100%.”

Recall that the Polytechnic’s Governing Council had, late last month, announced the approval of the upward review of students’ ancillary fees which saw the Certificate fee sky rocketed from 5000 Naira to 30,000 Naira.

The hike was not only to be effected on the current Polytechnic students but also on graduating students who are yet to start their clearance exercise.

In his reaction to the sudden hike, the Directorate of Students Affairs, Dr. Ademola Aderogba, had given forex increase as the reason behind the hike, stressing that the Certificates, like most securities printing in Nigeria, are done in the United Kingdom.

The backlash received on account of the increment and students plea for Lagos State Government’s intervention, however, resulted to the recent review of the increment.

Meanwhile, also subjected to the new review are the transcript processing fee and other ancillary fees such as request for reference letter, proficiency in English, and replacement of lost receipt.