FG’s ₦45.6 billion student loan scheme ready for payment

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has, as part of his administration’s commitment to education without stress, announced the process of over forty-five point six billion Naira (₦45.6b) ready for payment to institutions as student loan scheme across the country.

     He disclosed the new development in a nationwide broadcast to Nigerians Sunday morning, the Day-4 of the 10 days planned nationwide protest against hunger and hardship being experienced tagged: #EndbadGovernance# by the protesters.

     Addressing the Nation, the President said, “I speak to you today with a heavy heart and a sense of responsibility, aware of the turmoil and violent protests unleashed in some of our states.

    “Notably among the protesters, were young Nigerians who desired a better and more progressive country where their dreams, hopes and personal aspirations would be fulfilled.

     “My dear Nigerians, especially our youth, I have heard you loud and clear. I understand the pain and frustration that drive these protests and I want to assure you that our government is committed to listening and addressing the concerns of our citizens.

    “Our administration has shown its commitment to the youth by setting up the student loan scheme. To date, 45.6 billion Naira has already been processed for payment to students and their respective institutions”, he disclosed.

     Tinubu also disclosed that, he had ordered the release of an additional ₦50 billion each for NELFUND – the student loan and Credit Corporation from the proceeds of crime recovered by the EFCC

   He, therefore, encouraged more vibrant youth population to take advantage of this opportunity and develop themselves educationally, enjoining the protesters and the organisers to suspend any further protest and create room for dialogue.

   The President added that, under this current circumstances, Nigeria required that all hands should be on deck regardless of age, party, tribe and religion or other divides, to work together in reshaping the destiny of the nation.

   The Nigeria’s leader, however, advised those who were taking undue advantage of the situation to threaten any section of this country to stop or the law would catch up with them saying, “there is no place for ethnic bigotry or such threats in the Nigeria we seek to build.