By Seyi Babalola

…Insists student loan scheme implementation begins September

The President has refuted claims that tuition at Federal Universities has increased.

Contrary to what had been reported, it was asserted, each university had increased its discretionary fees for things like registration, lab fees, and housing in dorms.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the President (Special Duties, Communications & Strategy), provided these explanations.

While the institutions have provided justification for the rise, it was said that President Bola Tinubu is still determined to keep his pledge to guarantee that every Nigerian, regardless of economic circumstance, receives the same benefits.

The Presidency maintained that the implementation of the Student Loans scheme recently signed into law by the president will go into implementation ahead of the next academic session in September.

The statement reads: “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.”