The University of Benin (UNIBEN), Benin City, has approved a significant review of oral defence fees payable by postgraduate students, with the new charges set to take effect from the 2025/2026 Academic Session.
The development was formally communicated in a memorandum issued by the College of Postgraduate Studies and signed by the College Secretary, Bimpe Omoyiwola, following approval by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Edoba B. Omoregie, SAN. The directive, dated February 9, 2026, was distributed to Deans, Directors, and Heads of Department with instructions to notify affected candidates accordingly.
According to the memorandum referenced CPGS/!, the revised fees are structured across the various postgraduate categories. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) candidates are to pay ₦150,000.00, Master’s degree students ₦100,000.00, while Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) candidates will pay ₦50,000.00 as oral defence charges.
The communication made clear that the decision followed the recommendation of the College Board of Postgraduate Studies, which deliberated on the financial implications of sustaining quality assessment processes at the advanced academic level.
The memo further explained that the approval was “predicated upon the upward review of the honorarium for External Examiners as contained in the new agreement between the Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).” University authorities indicated that the adjustment became necessary in order to align institutional obligations with the revised national framework governing payments to external assessors who play a critical role in maintaining academic standards during thesis and dissertation evaluations.
Officials within the College of Postgraduate Studies emphasized that external examiners are central to the credibility and objectivity of postgraduate assessments, particularly in doctoral examinations where scholarly rigour and international benchmarking are paramount.
By adjusting the defence fees, the university seeks to ensure that it can meet its financial commitments under the updated agreement while preserving the integrity of its postgraduate programmes.
In separate telephone interviews conducted by The Nigeria Education News, some postgraduate students expressed mixed reactions to the development. A doctoral candidate in the Faculty of Social Sciences described the increase as “a heavy but understandable burden,” noting that while the amount is substantial, “quality evaluation by seasoned external examiners is essential for the value of our degrees.”
However, a Master’s student in the Faculty of Education voiced concern about the timing, stating that “many students are already grappling with research expenses, data collection costs, and other financial pressures.”
Stakeholders within the academic community also weighed in on the issue during phone conversations with our correspondent. A senior lecturer who preferred anonymity explained that the review reflects broader systemic adjustments in the university sector. “When honoraria for external examiners are revised at the national level, institutions must respond accordingly to avoid compromising standards,” he said, adding that sustainable postgraduate education requires realistic funding structures. Another departmental administrator noted that clear communication to students will be crucial in preventing misinformation and anxiety.
With the revised charges scheduled to commence in the 2025/2026 Academic Session, departments have been directed to disseminate the information promptly to all affected candidates. As UNIBEN navigates the balance between financial realities and academic excellence, the conversation sparked by the fee adjustment highlights ongoing tensions within Nigeria’s higher education system where the pursuit of quality assurance often intersects with the economic realities confronting students and institutions alike.
