Politics

AYOOLA Lawal, former secretary, Committee of APC  Diaspora Chairmen, has commended President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly for their dedication to the advancement of education in Nigeria.

Lawal, also a former APC chairman in the Scandinavia countries, gave the commendation in a statement on Thursday against the backdrop of the amendment and subsequent signing into law of the the Student Loan Bill.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Tinubu, on Wednesday, passed the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2024, into law.

This was after separate considerations by both the Senate and the House of Representatives of the report of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund.

Speaking after he signed the bill, Tinubu said no Nigerian, regardless of their background, would be excluded from obtaining quality education.

Lawal noted that the landmark legislation, represented a significant milestone in ensuring equitable access to higher education for all students in Nigeria.

This, according to him, is irrespective of their financial backgrounds in Nigeria.

He added that by enabling access to student loans, the government had taken a decisive step towards fostering a more inclusive and prosperous society.

He said the amendments pushed by the president and introduced by the national  assembly demonstrated a profound commitment to addressing the challenges faced by students in accessing quality education.

According to him, by streamlining the loan application process, instituting favourable terms and conditions, and implementing flexible repayment options, the revised bill reflects a nuanced understanding of the needs and aspirations of students.

He said there were still some grey areas to be refined, adding, however, that the country was on the right path.

He said the swift action taken by Tinubu in signing the bill into law underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to prioritise education as a cornerstone of national development.

He said such a decisive move would undoubtedly have far-reaching positive implications for the educational landscape of the country.

He added that it would empower many students to pursue their academic aspirations without undue financial burden.

“I firmly believe that the Student Loans Act  will serve as a catalyst for socio-economic empowerment and contribute significantly to the realisation of our nation’s educational goals,” he said.

He urged all stakeholders, including educational institutions, financial institutions and civil society organisations to collaborate closely in implementing and monitoring the provisions of the act.  (NAN)

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-April 04, 2024 @ 18:02 GMT|

Tags: Mr Ayoola Lawal