*To Extend Free Food Distribution to Campuses
By Halimah Olamide
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday told tertiary institutions in the country to stop what he called arbitrary hikes in their tuitions.
This was just as he announced a new set of incentives to students in the country, promising to give students bodies shuttle buses to ease transportation.
The students have also been informed that restrictions of whatever form on the new students loan scheme will be yanked off as all vulnerable students will now be entitled to it.
These were some of the new measures listed on Monday by the president as part of strategies targeted at dousing the tension created by the fuel subsidy removal.
In a statement made available to the NPO Reports on Monday, which was signed by the Special Adviser on Communication, Strategy and Special Duties, Mr. Dele Alake, the President also warned authorities of federal institutions against what he called “arbitrary” hikes in tuitions.
“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,” the statement said
The statement added that the removal of restrictions arbitrary on loans is In line with the 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,” it said
On the increase in tuitions, the statement noted, that “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 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.