The Presidency has debunked rumours that the Federal Government increased tuition fees in its universities, explaining that government has not even introduced a tuition fee in any of the institutions.
There have been serious public agitations over the decision of some federal universities, including the University of Lagos and University of Abuja, to increase charges payable by students.
Some stakeholders came down hard on the affected universities while calling on the Federal Government to sort out the situation, citing how it would worsen the already harsh effect of the economy on parents.
However, in a statement on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Mr Dele Alake, the Presidency said Federal universities remain tuition-free, adding that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is working on other measures to make education reachable to all, besides the Students’ Loans Scheme.
Reacting to the wrong understanding of what recently happened in some federal universities, where fees have been hiked, the Presidency explained that the tuition item on the list of payable fees of such school remains remains without a price-tag.
“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.
“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,” the presidency said.
It further assured Nigerians that President Tinubu remains committed to make education reachable to all Nigerians, promising that more innovative solutions are still being planned to make the resolve achievable.
“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,” it added.
