Breaking: Presidency announces that federal universities remain 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 doubt, federal colleges in Nigeria continue to be tuition-free, according to a statement released on Wednesday by Dele Alake, the president's special adviser on special duties, communications, and strategy.

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.

“We are aware that some universities have in recent weeks announced increases 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,” said the Presidency.

According to the statement, the administration of Bola Tinubu "remains committed to his promise of ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of the economic situation of their parents, has access to quality tertiary education." It also stated that the administrators of these universities had explained the reasoning behind these new fees.

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.

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