School fees, student loan, cash transfer, students’ buses – FG gives new directives
Yinka ADETUNJI
President Bola Tinubu has approved provision of buses to the students’ bodies of all universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country.
This is as the President introduced other palliative measures to students and the vulnerable such as conditional cash transfer, halting of arbitrary increase in sundry fees in institutions, distribution of grains etc
In the same vein government has announced removal of all restrictions relating to the students loan for students of higher institutions passed in June.
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In a press statement by Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications & Strategy, it is reiterated the new directives were in furtherance of the desire of President Tinubu to ease the burden of the fuel subsidy removal on students of higher institutions of learning.
“The desire of the President is to see that students can access their campuses without much difficulty as a result of higher transportation costs,” it is stated.
“The provision of the buses will also remove the burden of additional cost of daily commuting on parents and guardians.”
In line with his promise to ensure no Nigerian student abandons his or her educational pursuits as a result of lack of money and economic circumstances of their parents, President Tinubu has also approved the removal of all restrictions on the students’ loan to make it available to any student or household that may desire it.
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Similarly, President Tinubu has directed the authorities in all federal institutions of higher learning to avoid arbitrary increase in sundry fees payable and where possible defer further increase so that parents and students don’t face too many difficulties.
While it is important to reiterate that President Tinubu has directed release of over 200,000 metric tonnes of grains to families in 36 states and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, the government is working to ensure that vulnerable students can also benefit from conditional cash transfers and food distribution.
The Federal Government salutes the courage, wisdom and partnership of Nigerian students as our country navigates this challenging time.
President Tinubu will continue to prioritise education and the needs of the students, improve welfare of teaching and non-academic staff and invest in infrastructure to make our institutions of higher learning become more globally competitive.
Meanwhile the report is not explicit on the restrictions removed in regards of the students’ loan.
It’s not clear whether the restrictions removed cover eligibility as in if students of private institutions can now apply, if the condition of below N500, 000 income per annum of the family of the aspiring student is removed, if the need for guarantors of civil service cadre above level 12, a lawyer, judicial officer or Justice of the Peace is no more a prerequisite.
