FG refutes news of hike in tuition says varsity education remains free

Yinka ADETUNJI

The federal government has refuted claim that tuition in universities had been increased asserting that tuition remains free in higher institutions.

In a statement signed by Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications & Strategy, titled, “Federal universities remain tuition-free,” the federal government insists what it found out was that the new fees announced covered sundry issues such as hostel accommodation, laboratory use and so on remarking tuition is not included.

“It was widely reported earlier this week across some news media outlets that the Federal Government had p 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.”

It is maintained that President Bola Tinubu remains committed to improving the education standard and make it accessible to all, citing introduction of student’s loan, scholarship, work and study policy and so on to buttress the point.

“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.”