Abuja—The Federal Government on Monday ordered tertiary institutions in the country to put an end to arbitrary increase in fees payable by students, according to the Vanguard.
This is just as it approved the provision of buses to students’ bodies in such schools across the country.
In a statement in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications & Strategy, Mr Dele Alake, the government said the steps were in furtherance of President Bola Tinubu’s desire to ease the burden of the fuel subsidy removal on students of higher institutions of learning.
“President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the provision of buses to the students’ bodies of all universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country.
“The desire of the President is to see that students can access their campuses without much difficulty as a result of higher transportation costs.
“The provision of the buses will also remove the burden of additional cost of daily commuting on parents and guardians.
“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 many 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 statement read.
Recall that a lot of criticisms have trailed the removal of the subsidy which has led to higher cost of living.
The introduction of the Student Loan Scheme has also drawn flak from the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, among others.
They alleged that the scheme would only lead to hike in fee which some higher institutions have effected.
