Education
No federal university is allowed to charge tuition fees- FG
The Federal Government has insisted that no federal university is allowed to charge tuition fees for students in the country.
Mr David Adejo, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, said this at a public hearing by the House of Representatives ad committee on students loans in Abuja.
Adejo said that the recent increase in charges by federal universities in the country was unfortunate.
“What they collect is charges to cover cost of accommodation, ICT, power, among others. It is the Governing Councils of the Universities that has the power to approve such charges for them.
“The only university that increased charges after the signing of the student loans act is the university of Lagos.
“They came to the Ministry with a proposal to Increase their charges because all Governing Councils were dissolved and we gave them approval.
“Immediately that was done, there was a resolution from the House stopping increase I fees and the President also gave a directive stopping any increase in fees and that is where it is, even though several others have brought their proposal,” he said.
Adejo said that the charges collected by the institutions were used to pay for some of their services, including electricity bills.
He faulted claims that the signing of the students loan act was responsible for some of the hike in the university charges.
Adejo said that in spite of the charges, the universities had not been able to meet up with some of their expenses.
He said that modalities had been put in place for the take off of the students loans scheme in the 2023/2024 academic calendar.
Adejo said that President Bola Tinubu had given directive that all necessary works must be completed on the modalities for the take off the scheme to enable its take off in September.
The chairman of the committee, Rep. Teseer Ugbor said the students loan was part of the palliatives by the federal government to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians and to ensure access to higher education by interested Nigerians.
He, however, expressed concern over the disbursement process, the recovery of the funds from beneficiaries as well as the possibility of some students not been able to access the loan.
He call for dialogue in the process of trying to amend the law to ensure that all Nigerian students interested in the loan benefitted from it.
President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, said that democracy must be progressive and inclusive with a primary focus on tackling poverty through the provision of job opportunities for youths and quality education for all Nigerian children.
Tinubu expressed support for the establishment of the National Institute of Progressive Studies while receiving members of the National Working Committee, NWC, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Thursday, in Lagos.
The President noted that the Institute is expected to carry out diligent research and educate all party members on the principles of democracy and good governance while providing a distinct identity for the party.
”Democracy has faced challenges in the past, but I believe in a promising future for our country. We will deliver it.
“I am committed to supporting a strong and ideologically-determined democracy that is progressive, inclusive, and focused on eliminating poverty while providing quality education for our children.
”Collaboration with various government arms is crucial, and I commend the leadership of our party for working hard to promote these essential ideals,” the President stated.
Chioma Blessing Obidigbo, an 18-year-old girl, has emerged as the top performer in the 2022 West Africa Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE), organised by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
The announcement was made at the opening ceremony of the WAEC 61st Annual Meeting of the Nigeria National Committee, held in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
The young girl could not attend the ceremony due to her ongoing university studies in the United Kingdom. However, her parents, Mr and Mrs Matthew Obidigbo, accepted the award on her behalf.
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