NANS Proposes Post-NYSC Repayment Period for Student Loan Scheme

In a public hearing organized by the Senate Committee on Education and TETFUND, as well as the House of Representatives Committee on Student Loan, Scholarship, and Higher Education Financing, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) proposed a five-year post-NYSC period for the commencement of repayment for beneficiaries of the Federal Government loan scheme.

NANS President, Lucky Emonele, commended President Bola Tinubu for including NANS leadership as representatives on the loan board and praised the decision to repeal the 2024 Students Loans Access to Higher Education Act to address potential hindrances to the success of the student loan scheme.

Emonele also advocated for study grants for Nigerian students and called for measures to prevent arbitrary increments in school fees by tertiary institutions.

He urged the National Assembly to pass a resolution prohibiting public tertiary institutions from raising fees for the next decade to ensure the sustainability of the loan scheme.

Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, lauded President Tinubu’s commitment to education, stating the President’s desire for all school-age children to have access to education.

The public hearing provided an opportunity to make further input to improve the bill for the good of Nigerian students.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Muntari Dandutse, highlighted the importance of quality higher education, stating that initiatives like the student loan scheme would lead to a brighter future for youths and the nation as a whole.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, represented by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, expressed optimism that the legislative agenda of the 10th National Assembly would significantly improve the standard of living for Nigerians.

He commended President Tinubu for his support for Nigerian students through the loan scheme, noting its potential to enhance access to education and economic development.

The public hearing on the repeal and re-enactment of the 2024 Students Loans Access to Higher Education Bill is a crucial step towards ensuring a more accessible and affordable higher education system for Nigerian students.