The student loan scheme is expected to be launched in the next three weeks, according to Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President of Nigeria.
He expressed the administration’s commitment to ensuring the successful implementation of the scheme.
Gbajabiamila made these comments during a meeting with a delegation from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), led by its President, Lucky Emonefe, at the State House in Abuja.
He encouraged Nigerian students to show their support for the Student Loan Funds policy, which aims to provide equal access to quality education for all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background.
The president’s determination to see it through was emphasized, with a call for Nigerian students to support the initiative. The goal is to ensure that no deserving student, who may face financial challenges, is left out of accessing the loan.
Gbajabiamila said: “Mr. President is absolutely determined that we see it through successfully.
“We are hoping it will be launched in the next two to three weeks, we are trying to dot the I(s) and the T(s) before it is launched to ensure we have policies that cannot be implemented.
“Now we are going to need you in the success of this policy because generally, it is a well-received policy
“It is to make sure people are not deprived of their education just because of circumstances of their birth that itself is unconstitutional.
“So when voices speak up against it we expect you to rise for support, this is something that you all support, embrace and work towards its success.”
The Chief of Staff provided reassurance to the students that the government is ready to prevent any upcoming industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
He confirmed that they are actively working to address the concerns raised by the union. He equally highlighted that President Tinubu has issued several directives with the goal of putting an end to strikes by academic unions in universities and higher institutions.
“Luckily, we are……determined that the days of strike are over and left behind. We are hoping to be able to avert the strikes,” he added.
