The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has demanded for an amendment of the Student Loan Act.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had back in June, signed the ‘controversial’ student loan bill into law.
The bill, sponsored by the former House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, was launched in an attempt to address the financial struggles faced by young Nigerians in acquiring a higher-quality education.
The NANS president, Usman Barambu while speaking at a legislative summit on students loams and the access to higher education in the country in Abuja had called for the addition of student representation on the loan board.
Barambu had also clamoured for the incorporation of polytechnics and colleges of education on the board instead of just the National University Commission NUC.
In the NANS president’s words:
“We have student loans but there is no student representation on the board. The board only broadcasted the NUC sidelining the polytechnic and colleges of education, which should all be included for the sake fairness and equity.”
“Majority of the student population will not be able to find their feet financially two years after graduating from school, therefore, the payment method should be reviewed to four to five years.”
“In instances of death, forgiveness of debt should also be considered.”
