By Ali Elias
In a sweeping reform aimed at expanding access to technical and vocational education, the Federal Government has announced the removal of tuition and other mandatory charges in all Federal Technical Colleges (FTCs) across the country.
The policy, unveiled by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, will see government absorb the costs of tuition and a wide range of approved charges, including boarding, uniforms, textbooks, exercise books, prospectus, identity cards, stationery, medical services, vocational training, utilities, security, digital platforms such as e-result and digital learning platforms, extra lessons, clubs and societies, and insurance.
The initiative, government said, aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a pathway to equipping young Nigerians with employable skills while driving national growth and competitiveness.
Parents Get Relief From Burden of Hidden Charges
For years, parents and guardians of students in Federal Technical Colleges have complained of mounting school-related costs, sometimes imposed outside approved guidelines. With this policy, the Ministry of Education has drawn a hard line: no principal, administrator, or staff is allowed to demand unauthorized payments.
“This initiative reflects the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President. No Nigerian child should be denied access to technical education because of illegal charges,” Dr. Alausa affirmed. “By investing in education today, we are building a stronger, self-reliant Nigeria.”
The Minister has ordered circulars reinforcing the free-education policy to be sent directly to schools and parents. He also urged parents to report any infractions via the Ministry’s hotlines: 08036576733, 08036373796, or email: tse@education.gov.ng.
Students Still Responsible for Personal Items
While the Federal Government covers tuition and other core charges, the Ministry clarified that students will continue to bear the cost of personal items such as Sunday/Jumat wears, bathroom slippers, blankets, bedsheets, pillowcases, towels, underwear, toiletries, cleaning materials, and a ream of A4 paper required for registration.
A Push for Skilled Manpower Nigeria’s education sector has faced criticism for producing graduates with limited practical skills in an increasingly competitive global economy. By eliminating financial barriers to technical education, the Federal Government aims to channel more students into technical and vocational fields, ensuring a steady supply of skilled manpower to drive industries, create jobs, and reduce youth unemployment.
Experts have welcomed the policy as a step in the right direction, though they stress that sustained funding, monitoring, and continuous investment in equipment and teacher training are essential if the policy is to achieve lasting impact.
With the new measures, parents of thousands of students in FTCs are set to breathe a sigh of relief, while the government seeks to ensure that technical education—once seen as second-rate—is restored to its rightful place as a driver of national transformation.