In a major step towards making technical education accessible to every Nigerian child, the Federal Government has announced that all Federal Technical Colleges (FTCs) nationwide will now operate tuition-free.
The policy also covers other mandatory charges such as boarding fees, uniforms, textbooks, exercise books, prospectus, identity cards, stationery, clubs and societies, medicals, vocational activities, utilities, security, website/e-result, Skool Media, extra lessons, and insurance.
According to a statement issued late Wednesday by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, this move aligns with the government’s free-education agenda aimed at ensuring that FTCs deliver on their mandate of producing skilled graduates to drive national development.
Parents have been advised to report any cases of unauthorized payments directly to the Ministry via its hotlines: 08036576733, 08036373796, or email: tse@education.gov.ng.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, emphasized that no principal or administrator is permitted to demand illegal charges from parents or guardians. He has also directed that circulars reinforcing this directive be sent to all Federal Technical Colleges and parents.
Dr. Alausa clarified that while tuition and core learning expenses are fully covered, boarding students are still required to provide personal items such as Sunday/Jumat wears, bathroom slippers, blankets, bedsheets, pillowcases, towels, underwear, one ream of A4 paper (80 grams) for registration, and other personal or cleaning materials.
He stressed that the initiative reflects 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.
“No Nigerian child should be denied access to technical education because of illegal charges. By investing in education today, we are building a stronger, self-reliant Nigeria,” Dr. Alausa stated.
The Ministry assured that strict monitoring mechanisms have been put in place to promptly address any infractions.
