ASUU Calls on FG to Convert Student Loan Scheme into Grants

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the University of Ilorin (Unilorin) has urged the federal government to reconsider its student loan scheme and convert it into grants. Dr. Alex Akanmu, the ASUU branch Chairman, made this appeal during the presentation of scholarships to exceptional students at the university.

Highlighting the financial challenges faced by students, Dr. Akanmu stated, "We urge the federal government to make grants rather than loans available to students so that indigent students can have access to affordable education. If it were loans we gave them today, how are they going to pay back?"

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This call comes as the federal government has allocated N50 billion in the 2024 budget for the implementation of its student loan scheme, set to commence in January 2024. The union emphasizes the potential difficulty for beneficiaries to repay such loans.

In a related development, Yakubu Dogora, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, urged President Bola Tinubu to extend the benefits of the student loan scheme to include students from private universities. Dogora made this plea at the 13th convocation and 16th-anniversary ceremonies of Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State.

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He stated, "I join my voice in the call for the inclusion of private university students in the student loan scheme of this administration as part of the palliative measures since they are also Nigerians."

As the government addresses the concerns raised by ASUU and other stakeholders, the allocation and management of the student loan scheme continue to be subjects of public discourse.