The administration claimed the reports are false and erroneous in a statement released on Wednesday by Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications, and Strategy.

According to Alake, the government is aware that several universities have increased the amount that students must pay for various fees.

But he claimed that universities had simply increased optional fees for things like dormitory lodging, registration, lab fees, and other fees, not tuition.

The statement reads: “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 an 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 the 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, has access to quality tertiary education.

“In addition to the Students’ Loans Scheme, under the Student Loans Bill signed into law by President Tinubu last month, which will go into implementation ahead of the next academic session in September, the Federal Government will also strengthen other mechanisms to support indigent students.

“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 grants.”