Students, parents and other stakeholders have hailed the Federal Government for its commitment to making education accessible for all.
They spoke ahead of today’s opening of the Students Loan Scheme portal.
The opening was delayed following the review of the Student Loan Act by the National Assembly.
Those who lauded the scheme include: the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the National Association of University Students (NAUS), students in universities across the country and the parent body, the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN).
NANS Senate President Akinteye Babatunde Afeez praised the Federal Government for the initiative. He called on students to take the opportunity to ease their current educational expenses to pave the way for future financial stability.
He urged them to recognize the programme as a valuable tool to facilitate their educational aspirations and not to misuse or mismanage it.
Afeez said it is imperative for students to understand the terms of repayment and the importance of fulfilling their obligations once they graduate.
He called for more robust funding for educational institutions, improved facilities, and better training for educators to ensure a holistic improvement in the quality of education.
In a statement, NAUS National Security Director, Ayobami Eruobami, described the opening of the portal as a significant milestone in the government’s commitment to making education accessible and inclusive for all students.
He called for a user-friendly interface for students to submit their loan applications conveniently, urging government to stick to the repayment plan which is two years after completion of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme and when beneficiaries get paid employment.
NAPTAN Deputy National President Adeolu Ogunbanjo urged the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to ensure the portal runs seamlessly because there will be huge traffic which may lead to congestion on the site.
Ogunbanjo said: “We expect that the management of NELFUND makes the application seamless. The portal should be accessible easily. We won’t want a situation where the Student Loan portal is congested and applicants cannot register.
“We are delighted about it. The good thing about this is that students will also be paid an upkeep stipend. It is a nice idea and a good one from the government.
“For the first five years, the Federal Government should try to fund it regularly without expecting payment returns or payback because they still have to wait for the students to secure jobs before they can repay.
“The government should include it in the budget. After five years, payment from those who have benefited should then be expected. It is a good development, and access should be simplified as best as possible”.
Speaking on expectations, a 300-Level student at the University of Lagos, Oke Rachael said there should not be any form of nepotism or favouritism, saying it should be accessible to all.
Another student at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS), Abdulkareem Jamiu expects a longer duration for repayment. He said some people may not even use the school certificates to secure jobs after graduation, adding that they may venture into business so the government should be patient until the graduates get a source of income.
A 400-level student of Mass Communication at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Emmanuel Oluwadola said the loan scheme is as an investment, but also a burden on debtors in future if the government does not address economic hardship and unemployment.
