Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Government (FG) has debunked the reported increase in tuition fees to be paid by students in public universities, saying it is far from truth as federal universities remain tuition-free.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Mr Dele Alake, declared that federal universities in the country remain tuition-free.
He added that President Bola Tinubu remains committed to his promise of ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of the economic situation of their parents, has access to quality tertiary education.
Alake further stated that the Students’ Loans Scheme for indigent students, which was an offshoot of the Students Loans Bill signed into law last month by President Tinubu, will become operational in September 2023, when a new academic session begins in tertiary institution.
In his exact words: “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.
“These reports are inaccurate and not correct. We are aware that some universities have in recent weeks announced increase in the amount payable by students on sundry charges.
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“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.”
