Subsidy: Tinubu orders tuition fees reduction, removes restrictions on students’ loan

President Bola Tinubu has directed the management of all universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country to avoid arbitrary increase in tuition fees of the students.

Tinubu also approved provision of buses to the students’ bodies of all universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education nationwide, to ease the burden of the fuel subsidy removal on students of higher institutions of learning.

The president equally approved the removal of all restrictions on the students’ loan to make it available to any student.

This was made known via a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake, on Monday, July 31, 2023.

Alake noted that the development followed the desire of President Tinubu to see that students access their campuses without much difficulty as a result of higher transportation cost.

The presidential spokesman stated that the provision of the buses will also remove the burden of additional cost of daily commuting on parents and guardians.

READ ALSO: Presidency: No tuition fees in federal varsities

He stated: “In line with his promise to ensure no Nigerian student abandons his or her educational pursuits as a result of lack of money and economic circumstances of their parents, President Tinubu has also approved the removal of all restrictions on the students’ loan to make it available to any student or household that may desire it.

“Similarly, President Tinubu has directed the authorities in all Federal Institutions of higher learning to avoid arbitrary increase in sundry fees payable and where possible defer further increase so that parents and students don’t face too much difficulties.

“While it is important to reiterate that President Tinubu has directed release of over 200,000 Metric Tonnes of grains to families in 36 states and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, the government is working to ensure that vulnerable students can also benefit from conditional cash transfers and food distribution.

“The Federal Government salutes the courage, wisdom and partnership of Nigerian Students as our country navigates this challenging time.

“President Tinubu will continue to prioritise education and the needs of the students, improve welfare of teaching and non academic staff and invest in infrastructure to make our institutions of higher learning become more globally competitive.”

The Star