Federal Government denies plan to hike varsity tuition fee

“I must confirm to you that government has no plan to increase tuition fees in Nigerian universities as being claimed by ASUU. There might be gaps in funding the education sector, particularly the universities, but the claim of such increase in tuition fees by ASUU was untrue.

 

The Federal Government has denied reports that there are plans to increase tuition fees in universities to N350,000.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) raised the alarm, two days ago, that the Dr. Wale Babalakin-led committee renegotiating the agreement it reached with government in 2009, recommended increase in tuition fees to, perhaps, enable schools generate more funds.

The decision generated lots of negative reaction from students’ union body, parents and education stakeholders who claimed the plan was ploy to deny interested Nigerians the opportunity to acquire university education.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono, told newsmen in Abuja, yesterday, that ASUU’s claim was untrue and asked Nigerians to disregard the media report and support government’s effort to revamp the education system.

“I must confirm to you that government has no plan to increase tuition fees in Nigerian universities as being claimed by ASUU. There might be gaps in funding the education sector, particularly the universities, but the claim of such increase in tuition fees by ASUU was untrue.

“However, I can confirm that President Muhammadu Buhari, has directed the Federal ministries of Education and Finance to develop a workable plan that would herald increase in funding opportunities for the institutions.”

Echono disclosed that the ministry has revisited its plans to establish an education bank that would give low interest loans to interested students and parents to fund their education needs.