Dele Alake: Federal Universities in Nigeria Remain Tuition-free

•Says report of tuition fees increase inaccurate, false 

•Discloses new loan scheme for indigent students takes off September

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The federal government has cleared the air on the reported increase in tuition fees paid by students in public universities, saying there was no iota of truth in the report as federal universities remain tuition-free.

Rather, it said some universities decided to raise fees payable by students on sundry charges and not tuition fees.

The Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Mr. Dele Alake, in a statement issued yesterday, emphasised 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, have access to quality tertiary education.

The SA 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 Tinubu, would become operational in September, 2023, when a new academic session begins in tertiary institutions nationwide.

According to him, although some federal universities announced some increase in discretionary fees paid by students on accommodation, registration and other charges, it had nothing to do with tuition fees.

Alake in the press release stated inter alia:

“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”.