Federal Government Suspends Student Loan Scheme, NANS Expresses Disappointment
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) expresses disappointment as the Federal Government announces another suspension of the Education Loan Scheme, further delaying its implementation
AKACHI NOEL 
The long-awaited take-off of the Federal Government Education Loan Scheme faces yet another setback as the government announced a further postponement of its inauguration, initially scheduled for Thursday.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) voiced their frustration, citing lost hope in the scheme. Senate President of NANS, Afeez Akinteye, expressed optimism but acknowledged the concerns of Nigerian students regarding the delay. In June 2023, President Bola Tinubu signed a bill to establish a Students Loan Fund aimed at providing interest-free loans for higher education, but the scheme's implementation has faced numerous delays.
Meanwhile, various stakeholders have weighed in on the matter, with suggestions ranging from converting the loan to scholarships, grants, or bursaries due to concerns over job availability for quick repayment.
The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund assured that the postponement is temporary, emphasizing the government's commitment to ensuring the scheme's proper implementation. However, conflicting statements from different government officials have left stakeholders uncertain about the scheme's timeline.
