According to reports, the administration of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, has raised undergraduate tuition costs. The school administration produced a document stating that LAUTECH had raised tuition costs for new students starting in 2024–2025.
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), tuition has increased significantly for the 2024–2025 academic year. Depending on the degree of study and the student’s state of origin, the new tuition for first-time undergraduate students ranges from around ₦316,000 to ₦787,000.
This is a significant increase compared to the previous session when costs for most programs ranged from ₦261,000 to ₦283,000. Students studying medicine and surgery pay the most, at ₦787,000.
The increase has been defended by the university administration as being required to uphold the institution’s standards, improve facilities, and maintain academic excellence. Additionally, they have pledged financial help and scholarships to students who fulfil certain requirements. However, there have been conflicting responses to the price hike, with some questioning whether it would be affordable, especially for students from low-income families.
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Impact Of LAUTECH’s Fee Hike On Departments And Payment Plans
The impact of LAUTECH’s tuition fee hike varies significantly across departments due to its course- and origin-based structure:
- Medicine and Surgery:
- Indigene: ~₦787,000
- Non-Indigene: Higher due to added costs for laboratory and clinical training. This makes it the most expensive program, reflecting its resource-intensive nature
2. Engineering and Technology Programs:
- Fees range from ₦400,000 to ₦500,000 depending on the course and whether the student is an indigene. These programs involve significant laboratory components, which partly justify the increase.
3. Management and Social Sciences:
- Indigene: ~₦316,000
- Non-Indigene: A little more expensive, between ₦350,000 and ₦400,000. Because these programs require less infrastructure, their costs are somewhat lower than those of STEM fields.
4. Returning Students:
- 300–600 Level (Indigene): ₦168,000
- Non-Indigene- Level 300–600: ₦204,000. These costs are still far cheaper than those for new intake, notwithstanding a little increase over previous years.
Payment Structures And Support
The administration has introduced flexible payment options, allowing instalment payments for students. Scholarships and financial aid for economically disadvantaged students are also being discussed to alleviate the financial burden.
The payment structures and support initiatives for LAUTECH’s new tuition fees aim to make the increases manageable for students. Here’s an overview:
Payment Structures
- Installment Payment Plans:
- Students may pay fees in multiple instalments instead of lump sums. This helps ease the financial burden on families and ensures that education remains accessible.
- Level-by-Level Stripped Payment:
- Freshmen and returning students are subject to different cost schemes, with the latter seeing a more gradual increase. With this strategy, the financial effect is distributed over time.
3. Faculty-Based Fees:
- Fees are tailored based on program requirements, with science and technology courses being more expensive due to their infrastructure needs.
Support Options
- Scholarships:
- LAUTECH provides need-based and merit-based scholarships to help students who are economically challenged and achieve well academically. For information on how to apply, students are advised to visit the university portal.
- Bursaries:
- Some state governments and organizations provide bursaries specifically for students from their regions. For instance, Oyo and Osun indigenes may qualify for regional financial aid.
- External Funding Opportunities:
- Partnerships with private organizations and alumni groups often provide additional scholarships or grants for students in need.
- Loans:
- Discussions are underway about making student loans more accessible, though specifics depend on broader government policies.
Recommendations for Students
- Regularly check the LAUTECH portal for announcements about scholarships and instalment deadlines.
- Explore external funding sources, including NGO programs or corporate scholarships.
- Stay informed about potential fee waivers or reductions for special circumstances.
ALSO READ> LAUTECH Postgraduate Application Form – Apply Now
Conclusion
A major financial change intended to preserve academic excellence and sustain institutional infrastructure is reflected in LAUTECH’s revised tuition price schedule for the 2024–2025 academic year. Even while the price increase puts more of a financial strain on families and students, there is some comfort due to the availability of financial assistance alternatives such as scholarships and payment plans. To stay informed about assistance measures, students should actively pursue these chances and stay in touch with the institution.
It’s still quite difficult to strike a balance between cost and high-quality education. To resolve issues and make sure the university carries out its objective without excluding those from lower-income backgrounds, it will be crucial to maintain communication between the organization, students, parents, and stakeholders.
