In a move aimed at bolstering educational opportunities for Nigerian students, President Bola Tinubu officially signed the National Students Loan Amendment Bill into law during a brief ceremony at the State House.
Present at the event were key figures including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Ministers of Education and Youth, Hannatu Musawa and Ayodele Olawande respectively, alongside the president of the National Association of Nigerian Students, among other government officials and presidential aides.
Tinubu, who initially endorsed the student loan bill in June 2023, reiterated the government’s commitment to providing financial assistance to students in tertiary institutions. He acknowledged the challenges hindering the timely implementation of the bill, expressing gratitude to the National Assembly for their swift handling of the legislation.
In his remarks, President Tinubu underscored the pivotal role of education in combating poverty, emphasizing the government’s determination to prioritize education and skill development programs.
He stated, “We are determined to ensure that education is given the proper attention necessary for the country including skills development programmes. This is to ensure that no one, no matter how poor their background is, is excluded from quality education and opportunity to build their future.”
Highlighting the significance of inclusive education, Tinubu emphasized the need to address the historical issue of students dropping out of college due to financial constraints.
He assured that the revised student loan bill would provide a framework for equitable access to educational opportunities, regardless of socio-economic background.
The enactment of the amended student loan bill follows comprehensive deliberations by the National Assembly committees on tertiary institutions and TETFund, reflecting a collective effort to empower Nigerian youths through accessible and affordable education.