Despite hikes, government insists universities tuition-free

The Nigerian government has said the federal government-owned universities remain tuition-free, describing as inaccurate the media reports suggesting the introduction of tuition fees by the institutions, writes Qosim Suleiman for Premium Times.

Many Nigerian universities owned by the federal government have, in the past few months, increased fees to be paid by students, leaving parents and their wards groaning. For instance, the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka; University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), Borno State; University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo State; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi; Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDUS), Sokoto, among others, have had their fees increased, some of them by more than 100%.

But the government said on Wednesday 26 July that the increments were completely at the discretion of the university management. Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy Dele Alake said despite the increments in fees, students are not made to pay for tuition. “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,” he said in a statement.
Full report on the Premium Times site