Presidency claims public universities are still tuition-free

Tuition at federal colleges is still free, according to the Presidency, despite increases in supplementary fees at various universities across the country on Wednesday.

Fewer than five days have passed since Federal Unity Colleges raised the tuition for new students from N45,000 to N100,000.

“For the avoidance of doubts, federal universities in Nigeria remain tuition-free,” a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake, read Wednesday.

Federal universities continue to offer free tuition, according to the statement.

The presidency claimed that they are supplementary costs and do not affect tuition despite conceding the surge in fees at federal colleges across the nation.

“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,” said the Presidency.

It said the authorities of these universities had explained the rationale behind these new fees, adding that the Bola Tinubu administration “remains committed to his promise of ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of the economic situation of their parents, has access to quality tertiary education.”

Alake said the Federal Government will strengthen other mechanisms to support needy students in addition to the Students’ Loans Scheme under the Student Loans Bill, which President Tinubu signed into law in June and will go into effect before the start of the next academic session in September.

“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 revealed.