The federal government has insisted that federal universities are not allowed to charge students tuition fees in the country.
According to NAN, David Adejo, permanent secretary, ministry of education, spoke at a public hearing by the house of representatives and committee on student loans in Abuja.
Adejo described the recent increase in charges by federal universities in the country as “unfortunate”.
He denied claims that the student loan act is responsible for the hike in fees, adding that despite the increase, some universities are still unable to cover their expenses.
Adejo said the student loan scheme is set for the 2023/2024 academic calendar in September.
“What they collect is charges to cover the cost of accommodation, ICT, power, among others. It is the Governing Councils of the universities that have the power to approve such charges for them,” he said.
“The only university that increased charges after the signing of the student loans act is the University of Lagos.
“They came to the ministry with a proposal to increase their charges because all Governing Councils were dissolved and we gave them approval.
“Immediately that was done, there was a resolution from the House stopping the increase in fees and the president also gave a directive stopping any increase in fees and that is where it is, even though several others have brought their proposal.”
Teseer Ugbor, the chairman of the committee, said the student loan is part of the “palliatives by the government to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians and to ensure access to higher education”.
Ugbor expressed concern over the disbursement process of the loan and the recovery of the funds from beneficiaries.
He added that there is a need to amend the law to ensure that all interested students benefit from it.
Last month, the presidency announced that federal universities in the country remain tuition-free.
This came after some federal universities and unity schools announced a hike in school fees for freshers and returning students.
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