In the lovely town of Isiokpo, nestled in Rivers State, something exciting is about to happen: a brand-new institution is getting ready to open its doors. It’s called Wigwe University, and it’s a big project led by the late Herbert Wigwe, who was former Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings. They’re getting everything ready to welcome their first group of students.
Wigwe University has a big goal: they want to make sure students have what they need to do well in a changing world. That’s why they have a lot of different programs in four main colleges: Management and Social Sciences, Art, Science and Computing, and Engineering.
But aiming for the best education also means it might cost a lot. People are saying that when Wigwe University opens, it could end up being the most expensive college in Nigeria. If you check their website, you’ll see that the Art program is the cheapest, costing N9.6 million in total.
Students who want to study in the College of Engineering, College of Management and Social Sciences, or College of Science and Computing will need to pay a big amount: N11,998,800 for each. This covers everything like classes, books, labs, safety gear, projects, online resources, health insurance, joining professional groups, student activities, and keeping the campus running smoothly.
Additionally, accommodation fees add another layer of financial commitment. The university offers a range of housing options, including the luxury single bedroom apartment plan at N1,000,000 per month, the premium one en-suite bedroom plan at N3,845,000 per session, the classic one plan at N3,707,000 per session, and the classic two plan at N3,500,000 per session. These fees can be paid in two installments per session.
In response to concerns regarding the high costs, the university’s management has defended its decision to charge fees in dollars for international students, stating that it aligns with their vision of attracting a diverse and international student body. Nigerian students, however, will have the option to pay their fees in naira.
As Wigwe University gets ready to open, we’ll have to wait and see if Nigerian families are willing to spend this much on education. Will it be a place only for rich people and international students looking for a top-notch education? Only time will tell.
