The University of Ilorin (Unilorin) branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged the federal government to convert its student loan scheme to grants, saying it will be difficult for the beneficiaries to repay.
The ASUU branch Chairman, Dr Alex Akanmu, who spoke at the presentation of scholarships to four exceptional students of the university at the weekend, said, "We had a case of one of the (scholarship) beneficiaries who was contacted to come forward to receive the award and was struggling to get transport fare to the institution.
"To this end, 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?"
The federal government has earmarked N50bn in the 2024 budget for the implementation of its student loan scheme to commence in January 2024.
Include private varsity students - Dogora
Meanwhile, Yakubu Dogora, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, has urged President Bola Tinubu to include the students of private universities among the beneficiaries of the student loan scheme.
Dogara stated this at the 13th convocation and 16th anniversary ceremonies of Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, at the weekend.
He said, "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.
"Let me appeal to the federal government to consider the plight being faced by the students of tertiary institutions. The scheme should also be properly managed for the benefit of the teeming youths of this country."
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