September 27, (THEWILL) — The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has called on Akwa Ibom citizens to take full advantage of the Federal Government’s tuition-free education policy in all Federal Technical Colleges (FTC) across the country.
State Director of NOA, Akwa Ibom Directorate, Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, said the initiative, part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is designed to expand access to technical and vocational education, equip young Nigerians with employable skills, and drive national development.
Speaking in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during the South-South edition of the NOA Campus Debate for tertiary institutions, Mkpoutom stressed that the policy goes beyond tuition. He explained that boarding fees, uniforms, textbooks, exercise books, prospectuses, and identity cards are also covered by the scheme.
“This is to ensure that Federal Technical Colleges fulfil their mandate of producing skilled graduates for national transformation”, he said.
The NOA boss further urged parents and guardians to resist and report any illegal demands by school officials directly to the Federal Ministry of Education via hotlines 08036576733, 08036373796, or by email at tse@education.gov.ng.
He disclosed that Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers (COMOs) have been directed to intensify grassroots sensitisation so that no eligible child in Akwa Ibom misses out on the opportunity.
“This policy is a bold step towards strengthening human capital development and boosting Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global economy”, Mkpoutom stated.
