The Presidency has categorically refuted claims of any increase in tuition fees of federal universities in the country.
The clarification comes in response to widespread media reports earlier this week, which erroneously suggested a hike in educational costs.
Presidential Spokesman, Dele Alake in a statement on Wednesday clarified that the recent announcements made by some universities pertaining to discretionary charges, were unrelated to tuition fees.
He further explained that the charges encompass various aspects, such as hostel accommodation, registration, laboratory usage, and other sundry expenses.
Alake said Federal Universities maintain their long-standing tradition of offering tuition-free education to all students.
The spokesman disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, unwavering in his commitment to providing quality tertiary education for every Nigerians, has taken significant steps to ensure access to higher education remains unhampered.
He said: “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”.
Alake further disclosed that in addition to the Students’ Loans Scheme, under the Student Loans Bill signed into law by the President 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”, he stated.
