Presidency says Federal universities in the country remain tuition-free.
This is coming against the backdrop of recent hike in school fees for freshers and returning students by some Federal universities and unity schools.
There has since been an uproar on social media platforms, amid the skyrocketing cost of living and rising inflation caused by some of the federal government’s recent economic policies.
Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake, in a statement on Wednesday, said the hike in school fees by some universities are “discretionary charges for hostel accommodation, registration, laboratory and other charges. They are not tuition fees.
“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.
“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.”