President Bola Tinubu has signed the Student Loan Appropriation into law after a whole lot of back and forth.
He thanked the members of the National Assembly for their speedy passage of the bill.
Speaking after signing the bill at the Presidential Villa, the President said his administration is determined to ensure that education is given its pride of place and the attention necessary including skills development programmes.
He said, “I have just signed a bill proclaiming the student loan effectively. First of all, I must thank members of the National Assembly for their expeditious handling of this bill considering the children of Nigeria, that education is the tool to fight against poverty effectively.
“We are determined to ensure that education is given the proper attention necessary for the country including skills development programmes.
“We are here because we are all educated and were helped. In the past, we have seen a lot of our children dropped out of colleges and given up the opportunity. That is no more, the standard and the control is there for you to apply no matter who you are as long as you are a Nigerian citizen.
“This is not an exclusive programme. It is catering to all of our young people. Young Nigerians are gifted in different areas.
“This is not only for those who want to be doctors, lawyers, and accountants. It is also for those who aspire to use their skilled and trained hands to build our nation.
“In accordance with this, I have instructed NELFUND to explore all opportunities to inculcate skill-development programmes because not everybody wants to go through a full university education
“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.”
The loan, which was supposed to have taken effect last year, had suffered setbacks at different times.
However, in March, Tinubu transmitted the Bill to the National Assembly for consideration and passage.
In his letter to parliament, he requested a fresh enactment to address some challenges with the earlier Act and to enhance the implementation of the scheme by his administration.
The lawmakers had given the Bill accelerated hearing by suspending relevant sections of its standing rules and referred the Bill to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.
On March 20, the senate passed the bill following consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND that considered the Bill.
Join our WhatsApp community via https://goquick.ly/cj8q2 for instant and latest news updates.
