By Chesa Chesa
The Presidency has clarified that Federal Government-owned universities remain tuition-free, contrary to some recent media reports.
It was widely reported earlier this week across some news media outlets that the Federal Government had increased tuition fees in federal universities in the country.
Reacting to this in a press statement on Wednesday, presidential spokesman, Dele Alake, declared that “these reports are inaccurate and not correct”.
He said that findings reveal that some university administrations have increased fees for sundry services like accommodation and laboratory provisions, but not tuition, as this has not been approved.
Nonetheless, the Tinubu administration would strive to make education as affordable as possible, which is why the Students Loans scheme will start by next academic session, he said.
Alake stated: “We are aware that some universities have in recent weeks announced increase in the amount payable by students on sundry charges.
“However, the fact remains and we have confirmed that these are discretionary charges by each university for hostel accommodation, registration, laboratory and other charges. They are not tuition fees.
“Authorities of these universities even made this fact clear enough in explaining the rationale behind these new fees.
“For avoidance of doubts, federal universities in Nigeria remain tuition-free.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to his promise of ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of the economic situation of their parents, have access to quality tertiary education.
“In addition to the Students’ Loans Scheme, under the Student Loans Bill signed into law by President Tinubu last month, which will go into implementation ahead of the next academic session in September, the Federal Government will also strengthen other mechanisms to support indigent students.
“Parts of the government’s plans to make sure all diligent students complete their education on time, notwithstanding their parents’ financial situation, include work-study, merit-based scholarships and grants.”
