- NANS urged President Tinubu to relax the strict requirements for accessing the student loan scheme to ensure inclusivity
- Emonefe emphasized the need for equal educational opportunities, advocating for simpler eligibility criteria accessible to all Nigerian students
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on President Bola Tinubu to ease the stringent criteria for accessing the student loan scheme, which experienced yet another postponement on Tuesday, to refine its implementation modalities.
In an interview on Channels TV, NANS President Lucky Emonefe voiced concerns that the initial eligibility requirements might inadvertently exclude numerous deserving students from accessing the loan.
Emonefe emphasized the loan’s intended purpose of providing access to education for students who cannot afford tuition fees and other expenses. He underscored the importance of ensuring that students from all backgrounds, including those from less privileged families, have equal opportunities to access education through the loan scheme.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the initial criteria, which included prerequisites such as being a level 12 civil servant or a lawyer with ten years of experience, Emonefe highlighted the inaccessibility of these conditions for many Nigerian students.
During a meeting with President Tinubu, NANS representatives urged to revise these stringent conditions to broaden access to the loan. Emonefe reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring all Nigerian students have access to education.
NANS advocates for simplified criteria, suggesting that possession of a National Identification Number (NIN), Bank Verification Number (BVN), and admission letter should suffice for eligibility. They envision a system where all tertiary institution students can readily access the loan, irrespective of their socio-economic background.