The Cost of a Dream: How High Post-UTME Fees Are Traumatising Nigerian Families

For Mrs Folashade Adebayo, every evening, she is filled with worry. Her son Michael, who scored well in the 2025 UTME, dreams of studying Engineering in one of Nigeria’s top universities. Nevertheless, the sudden rise in Post-UTME fees is threatening that dream.

“I worked three jobs this year. Even with savings, the fee is almost twice what it was two years ago. I do not know if I can pay it and still feed my family,” she said with a tired voice.

Michael’s story is not different from thousands of others. Across the country, Post-UTME fees now range from ₦10,000 to as high as ₦50,000 in some universities. For many families, that money is not just a fee — it is the deciding factor between entering school or staying at home.

Experts warn that the pressure is too much. Dr. Chukwuemeka Ibe, a psychologist at the University of Lagos, said: “The emotional effect is huge. Students feel desperate to succeed, while parents feel guilty and anxious about the heavy sacrifices they must make.”

Many families have started borrowing from friends, relatives, or even loan sharks at high interest rates. Some of them have withdrawn children from school or delayed applications. Sadly, families in rural communities with low incomes are the hardest hit.

Universities have come out to defend the fee hike, blaming it on rising inflation, high operational costs, and the need to maintain their facilities. Even JAMB is siding with the schools on this. It says schools are free to set their fees, but critics insist there is little regulation to protect students from exploitation.

Other African countries like Ghana and Kenya have introduced cheaper options and subsidies to reduce the burden. Education advocates believe Nigeria should consider the same. For Michael, the issue is personal. “I have worked so hard. Now it feels like the system is testing my family more than my knowledge,” he said. His sleepless nights of reading are now joined with constant worry about money.

Mrs Adebayo’s eyes filled with tears. “I just want him to have the chance I never had. However, sometimes it feels like the dream is too expensive for us.”

As the post-UTME season continues, many Nigerian families are caught in this struggle — chasing education but weighed down by costs that keep rising every year. The real price is not just money, but the emotional pain of fighting for a dream in a system that keeps moving the goalpost.