President Bola Tinubu has said universities, among other educational institutions, are central to the attainment of the new Nigeria of his dream. He urged academics to put on their thinking caps and be prepared to offer their support in the efforts to reposition the country.
Represented by the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, at the 54th Convocation lecture of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Mr Tinubu, who was participating in the university’s first convocation ceremony in his official capacity as its visitor, reiterated his commitment to support the university to achieve excellence.
He listed some of the immediate measures already put in place to address concerns in the education sector including the removal of the universities from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, and the signing into law the student loan bill, among others.
“Universities are central to the attainment of a new Nigeria. All the support and necessary changes must be put in place to achieve our desired change,” he said.
On student loan
Mr Tinubu said signing the student loan bill into law was one of the strategies aimed at mitigating the challenges posed by the removal of subsidy on petroleum products when he assumed office in 2023.
He reiterated that under the student loan law, indigent Nigerian students will have access to interest-free loans to see them through their stay in higher institutions.
“It is our policy that no Nigerian child stops school due to poverty. It is in this regard that we also brought back the school feeding of our young ones,” he said.
Speaking further, Mr Tinubu said there is a need to rechannel the funds from the removal of subsidy into investment in public infrastructure, education, and critical social needs, to improve the lives of Nigerians.
Mr Tinubu had assured that the implementation of the student loan initiative will commence in January 2024. The beneficiaries are expected to repay the borrowed sum once they start working two years after the NYSC.
However, as January gradually winds down, it is not clear if the government will be able to meet the set deadline.