Federal Government Declares Tuition-Free Education in All Federal Technical Colleges

The Federal Government has announced that education in all Federal Science and Technical Colleges (FTCs) across Nigeria will now be completely tuition-free, including the removal of other approved charges, to make technical education accessible to every Nigerian child.

What the Free Education Covers

According to the Ministry of Education, the initiative goes beyond waiving tuition fees. The policy covers charges for boarding, uniforms, textbooks, exercise books, prospectus, identity cards, stationery, medical care, clubs and societies, vocational training, utilities, security, website and e-result services, Skool Media fees, extra lessons, and insurance.

A statement from the ministry emphasized that the move is part of the government’s commitment to its free-education policy and aims to strengthen the role of Federal Technical Colleges in producing highly skilled graduates for national growth.

Strict Monitoring Against Illegal Charges

Parents have been urged to report any unauthorized financial demands directly to the Ministry of Education through the provided hotlines (08036576733, 08036373796) or via email at tse@education.gov.ng.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, warned that no school principal or administrator is allowed to impose extra charges on parents or guardians. Circulars reinforcing this policy have been dispatched to all FTCs and parents nationwide.

Students’ Personal Responsibilities

While tuition and core expenses are fully covered by the government, boarding students are expected to provide their personal items. These include Sunday or Jumat wears, bathroom slippers, blankets, bedsheets, pillowcases, towels, underwear, a ream of A4 paper (80 grams) for registration, and other personal or cleaning materials.

Boosting Technical and Vocational Education

Dr. Alausa described the initiative as a reflection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a key driver of human capital development.
“By equipping our youth with employable skills, the government is laying the foundation for a stronger and more self-reliant Nigeria,” the minister said. “No Nigerian child should be denied access to technical education because of illegal charges.”

A Step Toward National Transformation

The Ministry of Education confirmed that monitoring mechanisms have been put in place to ensure strict compliance with the policy. This bold move is expected to expand access to technical education, empower more young Nigerians with practical skills, and support national economic competitiveness.