The National Association of Nigerian Students has condemned the comment of the presidency on the increase of school fees, describing it as deceitful and misleading.
The presidency, through the Special adviser to the president on communication, Dele Alake on Wednesday said reports suggesting that President Bola Tinubu increased tuition fees in federal government-owned universities are incorrect.
Alake stated that the increment is discretionary by each university, adding that each institution can determine what to charge for hostel accommodation, registration, laboratory, and other charges which are not school fees.
However, NANS in a statement by its National Public Relations Officer, Giwa Temitope said the presidency’s comment “is a dubious attempt to conceal the real picture and the extent of the crises the Federal Government and authorities of tertiary institutions have driven the students into.”
It also said the Tinubu-led administration displayed a “lack of willingness to ensure the education sector is uplifted”.
“The posture of the Nigerian government towards what we tag astronomical and illogical increment in fees payable across our Universities. We consider the claim by President Tinubu that Nigerian Universities are tuition-free, as deceitful and misleading.”
The apex student body demanded an immediate reversal of the fee increase in all federal.
It also asked that the student loan scheme proposed by the Federal Government should be abandoned, adding that the education sector be properly funded for the effective delivery of quality education.
