News

Read reaction of Nigerians to N30m fees in Lagos school

Published

2 days ago

January 3, 2025

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Charterhouse, a British independent school located in the Lekki area of Lagos State, has once again sparked controversy over its fees, drawing criticism from Nigerians on social media.

According to its website, the Charterhouse Family of Schools has been a leading name in British education for over 400 years. The Lagos campus, the first African branch of Charterhouse UK, admitted its first set of students in September 2024, catering to Year 1 through Year 6 pupils.

The school previously faced criticism in April 2024 for its tuition fees, which were reportedly as high as N42 million per year, alongside a N2 million non-refundable registration fee. This sparked widespread backlash, with many questioning the affordability of the institution for the average Nigerian family.

The debate resurfaced on Thursday following a video shared on X.com by user #itzbasito, captioned, “This is what the inside of the most expensive school in Lagos looks like. It costs N42 million per year.”

The video, attributed to Charterhouse, however, claimed that tuition and accommodation cost less than N30 million. The post has since garnered over 9,200 interactions on X.com, with many Nigerians criticising the costs, stating that even N30 million is excessively high.

One user, #TheWaleOrire, tweeted on Friday, “If the government can’t regulate school fees in primary and secondary schools, how can we achieve standardised universal basic education? There’s absolutely no reason why any secondary school in Nigeria should be charging N42 million per year.”

He added, “This only widens the gap between the lower, middle, and upper classes, turning education into a luxury for the rich instead of a right for every child. We need urgent reforms to bridge this inequality.”

Other users echoed similar sentiments, arguing that the fees primarily catered to the wealthy elite.

#OAAdeniji wrote, “There is no way anyone in Nigeria, earning in Naira, will be paying N42 million per year for a secondary school student, no matter what they are being taught. This is more than outrageous.”

Another user, #toofighting, remarked, “You’d find that the students are mostly children of expatriates, and those fees are paid by the companies their parents work for. Most Nigerian parents cannot pay that sum out of pocket.”

Similarly, #rusticfunmi commented, “N42 million per annum just so some people can feel superior that their children will be taught by whites… sorry, ‘expatriates.’”

In contrast, some users defended the school, arguing that it caters to a specific segment of society.

#Arsenicscot tweeted, “They don’t have the majority as their market target. All these una complain na for una pocket. When admission commences, the school will be filled; it won’t be scanty. The owners of the school know the segment of the population they are targeting. They won’t beg for students.”

Another user, #Treazyblaq, added, “If they can afford it, why not? These schools offer more than just education; they’re valuable for networking and building connections that can benefit the future. It’s an investment, not just in education but in opportunities and overall growth.”

The video also detailed the school’s boarding arrangements, stating that students would share rooms with three others, each having their own bed and private space. This sparked additional criticism, with some questioning the value provided.

#SandraAdaeze4 commented, “N30 million a year only to share a room with four other students.” Similarly, #citiii added, “For that amount, there is no reason why each student shouldn’t have their own room or, at worst, two per room.”

Charterhouse’s website details its tiered fee structure for founding students, with tuition ranging from N16.1 million for Years 1–2 to N24 million for Year 9. Weekly boarding costs an additional N5 million, while full boarding is N7 million per year.

PUNCH reported in August 2024 that the Founding Head and Director of Education at Charterhouse, John Todd, clarified misinformation regarding the school’s fees.

He said, “In April, there was an online reaction to our school fees, which sparked a lot of discussion, with some people reacting to the figure of N42m. I want to set the record straight: our fees are currently N26m, not N42m. We’ve never charged N42m.”

The Punch

Related Topics:family Naira Nigeria Nigerian school

Up Next

Our investigators taking bribe – EFCC Chairman admits

Don't Miss

Police nab Civilian JTF member who supplies foodstuffs to Boko Haram

Click to comment

News

SEE Today’s Black Market Exchange Rate: Dollar (USD) To Naira (NGN) – January 5, 2025

Published

8 minutes ago

January 5, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

What is the Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate in the Black Market (Parallel Market)?

Here’s the latest information on the Dollar to Naira black market exchange rate for January 4, 2025. Check below for the rates at which you can exchange your dollars for Naira.

How Much is a Dollar to Naira Today in the Black Market?

Here’s the latest information on the Dollar to Naira black market exchange rate for January 4, 2025. Check below for the rates at which you can exchange your dollars for Naira.

How Much is a Dollar to Naira Today in the Black Market?

According to sources at the Bureau De Change (BDC), the exchange rate for a dollar to Naira at the Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market) is as follows:

Buying Rate: ₦1,665
Selling Rate: ₦1,670
Please note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognize the black market and advises individuals to approach their banks for foreign exchange transactions.

Dollar to Naira Black Market Rate Today:

Buying Rate: ₦1,665

Selling Rate: ₦1,670

Dollar to Naira CBN

Rate Today:
Highest Rate: ₦1,540
Lowest Rate: ₦1,531

Note: Actual rates may vary depending on the transaction and location.

News

Tax Reform Bills: Tinubu moves to gather Northern Support

Published

2 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Naijablitznews

President Bola Tinubu has initiated extensive outreach to northern elites and the political class in a bid to garner support for the passage of contentious tax reform bills currently under consideration by the National Assembly.

Overview of the Bills
The tax reform bills,introduced in October 2024, include:

The Nigeria Tax Bill 2024
The Nigeria Tax Administration Bill
The Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill

The Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill
These proposals aim to reform Nigeria’s tax administration and enhance revenue collection systems. However, they have faced significant resistance, particularly from northern governors who argue that the reforms could disproportionately affect their regions and hinder economic development.

Tinubu’s Strategy
Presidency insiders revealed that President Tinubu has employed a multifaceted approach to address concerns raised by stakeholders, particularly from the northern political elite. This includes private consultations, strategic dialogue, and discreet “back channel” negotiations.

A senior official, speaking to The Punch anonymously, noted, “The President has been engaging with northern elites both individually and in groups, even prior to the holiday season.”

Another source disclosed that Tinubu is leveraging alternative methods to address objections to the bills, stating, “He is using every available channel to ensure that the contentious aspects of the bills are clarified and resolved.”

Northern Governors Remain Opposed
Despite Tinubu’s outreach efforts, northern governors have maintained their opposition. They insist that the bills should be withdrawn to allow for broader consultation and revisions. The governors argue that the proposed reforms could:

Increase the tax burden on their states,
Stifle economic growth, and
Exacerbate financial hardship for citizens.

The federal government, however, has defended the reforms as necessary steps to:

Boost Revenue Generation: Diversify income streams and reduce reliance on oil.
Modernize Tax Administration: Streamline revenue collection for efficiency and transparency.
Public Reactions
The proposed reforms have sparked heated debates nationwide. While proponents argue that they are essential for Nigeria’s fiscal sustainability, critics contend that they could lead to increased taxation and worsen the economic struggles of ordinary Nigerians.

As the debate intensifies, President Tinubu’s ability to navigate these challenges and secure buy-in from critical stakeholders will significantly influence the bills’ passage and their broader implications for Nigeria’s economy.

News

Update on Warri Refinery as Marketers Set to Load Petrol Soon

Published

2 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Naijablitznews

Oil marketers have started loading Automotive Gas Oil (diesel), and Kerosene from the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company.

Dealers confirmed this during the weekend, as they demanded Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) from the recently rehabilitated plant.

WRPC, under the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, came on stream on December 30, 2024, after the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, announced its resumption of operations during a tour of the facility.

Speaking with one of our correspondents on Friday at the refinery, the Chairman of the Delta State chapter of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Harry Okenini, said though the plant was working, it was not at 100 per cent functionality.

He, however, pointed out that marketers had started lifting diesel and kerosene from the refinery.

“Right now, there is no production of petrol. So, we are not loading PMS. We hope to load PMS soon. We can confirm to you that the plant is working although not at 100 per cent. And IPMAN, Warri Depot Unit, is waiting for the production of PMS so that we can load.

“For now, only the Automotive Gas Oil, popularly called diesel, and Dual Purpose Kerosene are being produced and loaded out for consumption.

He, however, pointed out that marketers had started lifting diesel and kerosene from the refinery.

“For now, only the Automotive Gas Oil, popularly called diesel, and Dual Purpose Kerosene are being produced and loaded out for consumption.

“Hopefully, by February, we are expecting cooking gas, PMS, and other products to come out. As of now, the retail unit is only loading AGO and DPK,” he added.

Also speaking with our correspondents at the refinery, the National Chairman of the Surface Tank and Kerosene Peddlers, a branch of NUPENG, Israel Omokere, stated that the refinery was in operation.

He said, “Hopefully the PMS will come on board. We are loading kerosene and AGO for now.”

On his part, the Delta State Chairman of Surface Tank and Kerosene Peddlers branch of NUPENG, Kingsley Erituoyo, said, “For so many years the refinery was down, today the refinery is up.

Findings at the Warri refinery by our correspondents showed scanty movement of trucks in and out of the complex.

It was observed that skeletal activities were ongoing at the WRPC, compared with the heyday of the refinery when the company was working at full capacity.

Industry sources disclosed that there was more to be put in place by the Federal Government and the NNPCL for the refinery to commence full-scale production of PMS.

During the visit to the WRPC complex, it was also observed that the main entrance to the refinery looked almost as if nothing was going on.

Security operatives at the gate stopped journalists from taking photographs on the premises.

Sources inside the refinery said only one of three units of the refinery was functional and producing diesel, gas, and kerosene.

“For now, only one unit is working at the refinery. You know there are three units; but only one is in operation, producing diesel, gas, and kerosene.

The unit can’t give fuel for now. If the second unit starts working, it can produce PMS. It is the last unit to operate because it’s very big and complicated.

“If all units are working, we can load over 100 trucks daily, now it loaded about 50 trucks,” a source said.