By Daily Review Online
Veteran Nollywood actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo, has criticised the practice of charging acceptance fees by Nigerian tertiary institutions, describing it as an additional financial burden on students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The actor expressed his concerns during an appearance on the *Honest Bunch* podcast, where he questioned the rationale behind requiring candidates to pay acceptance fees after securing admission into tertiary institutions.
Kanayo said he had received several appeals from financially struggling Nigerians seeking assistance to pay acceptance fees after being offered admission.
He noted that the situation was particularly troubling for families already struggling to meet the financial demands of education.
The actor recounted how some prospective students had contacted him for financial assistance after gaining admission but were unable to pay the required acceptance fees.
“Do you know sometimes some not-too-privileged Nigerians call you and say, ‘Uncle, I have not paid this acceptance fee. Can you help me?’” he said.
Kanayo questioned the commitment of government and educational institutions to making education accessible, arguing that imposing additional charges on candidates who had already earned admission could prevent deserving students from pursuing their academic ambitions.
He described the situation as a difficult challenge for many Nigerians, particularly those from low-income households who struggle to raise the money required to secure admission.
“So it’s a very hard situation we got ourselves into,” he added.
His comments have drawn attention to the financial obstacles facing prospective students and the broader debate over the affordability and accessibility of tertiary education in Nigeria.