By KINGSLEY OKOYE

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has made case for study grant for Nigerian students in the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (Nelfund) amendment bill.

Mr. Lucky Emonele, the President, NANS, said this at a public hearing on the amendment of Students

Loans Access to Higher Education Bill, 2024.

Emonele commended President Bola Tinubu for responding to the request of NANS, by including its leadership as students representatives on the loan board.

He said that students were in support of amending the act to address gray areas that could hinder access to the loan scheme.

“There is the need to make provision of grants for students, to enable them complete or further their studies.

“This would encourage more students to enrol in school and alleviate the burden that may be placed on parents.

“If the Federal Government through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), could earmark N683 billion on public tertiary institutions in 2024, without requesting for payback from beneficiary institutions, Nigerian students should not be treated any different,” he said.

He said the proposed repayment period of two years post National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), for the loan was not realistic, as less than 10 per cent of Nigerian graduates got absorbed into the labour force upon completion of their NYSC.

The NANS President proposed a minimum of five years repayment period, given the challenges of unemployment after graduation.

He also appealed that the provision of loan scheme should not be a further reason to arbitrary increase school fees by management of tertiary institutions.

He urged the National Assembly to pass a resolution that prohibit public tertiary institutions from increasing school fees in the next 10 years.

This, he said was the only way to sustain the act.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman commended Tinubu for his commitment toward the development of the education sector

He said the public hearing would provide opportunity to make further input to improve the bill for the good of Nigerian students.

Sen. Muntari Dandutse, the Chairman of the Committee said access to quality higher education was a pressing concern for many Nigerian students.

He said the students loan scheme offered hope for ultimately improving Nigeria’s tertiary education.

He also said that the scheme would promote access to education and enable more students to pursue their dreams.

Dandutse said its successful implementation would unlock a brighter future for youths and the entire nation.

“By removing financial barriers, these initiatives will enable more students to pursue higher studies, leading to a larger pool of skilled graduates who will contribute to the country’s social and economic development.

“Increased literacy rates foster economic growth, social progress, and democratic participation,” he said.

He urged all stakeholders to make valuable inputs to effect the positive change on the act and drive progress in the nation’s tertiary education sector. (NAN)

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