The Presidency has reasserted that federal universities in Nigeria continue to offer education without tuition fees. This clarification was made by the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Special Duties, Communications, and Strategy, Dele Alake, in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement came in response to recent concerns about fee increases at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), which had triggered public outcry. Alake explained that the so-called tuition fees were actually discretionary charges levied by individual universities for services such as hostel accommodation, registration, and laboratory facilities.

He emphasized that the federal government remains committed to providing support to indigent students through mechanisms such as the Students' Loans Scheme, which is set to be implemented from the next academic session in September.

He said, "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….

“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 grant.”