Transparency in the student loan program’s implementation has been urged by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
The nation’s top student body demanded that the federal government designate people with unwavering honesty and skill to supervise loan disbursement.
According to NANS, doing this would assure both the scheme’s durability and success.
The call was made by Pedro Obi, the National President of NANS, in a statement that was provided to reporters on Friday in Abeokuta.
The call was made by Pedro Obi, the National President of NANS, in a statement that was provided to reporters on Friday in Abeokuta.
In addition, NANS demanded immediate action regarding the reported deportation of Nigerian students from Teesside University in the UK who had fallen behind on their tuition.
NANS emphasised that in order to safeguard the rights and prospects of students studying overseas, the federal government had to act swiftly and decisively.
NANS praised the administration of President Bola Tinubu for launching the student loan programme, but demanded that the government involve all pertinent parties in its execution.
The student body claims that if the loan is properly executed, it has the potential to stop the large-scale departure of Nigerian students studying abroad while also relieving many students and their families of financial pressures.
The statement said as follows: “We urge the federal government to prioritise transparency and accountability in the loan disbursement process, and this must be done by engaging all relevant stakeholders to ensure the success and integrity of the student loan scheme.”
“It is imperative that the government designate people with unwavering honesty and skill to supervise student loan disbursement. To guarantee a fair and impartial government, these appointees ought to come from a variety of disciplines, such as academics, finance, and civil society bodies.
In order to trace the distribution process and guarantee that monies are disbursed effectively, we further implore the administration to establish open and efficient monitoring systems. This entails frequent audits, open reporting, and outlets for student feedback regarding any problems or anomalies.
It is imperative that the loan programme be inclusive and easily accessible to all qualified students, irrespective of their financial status. To prevent any confusion or discrimination, the qualifying requirements for loans and the terms of repayment should be made explicit and explained.
We think that the student loan programme, if carefully designed and implemented, will improve access to education while also making a major contribution to Nigeria’s socioeconomic growth.
We offer the federal government our utmost support in this attempt and eagerly await the positive effects of this initiative on the educational system and children of our country.