As the world commemorates the International Students’ Day, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has commended the National Assembly for passing the Students Financial Aid scheme bill.
The bill sponsored by Senator Isa Hamman Misau representing Bauchi Central Senatorial district seeks to afford Nigerian students the opportunity to access educational loans anywhere in the world.
In a press release signed by the group’s Public Relations Officer, Okereafor Bestman Opeyemi and made available to EduCeleb.com on Friday evening, NANS particularly praised Misau for “sponsoring this students oriented bill”.
It passed second reading earlier in the week. In his submission, Misau lamented that the conventional scholarships offered Nigeria Students has collapsed, hence, students particularly those studying abroad were often stranded.
The bill which was being considered alongside Nigeria Education Bank Act, 2004 will afford eligible Nigeria students in higher institutions to access loans.
Senator Misau was seeking the repeal of Nigeria Education Bank Act, 2004 for a harmonious operation of the two laws which he believed would solve difficulties by Nigeria students in higher institutions.
“A bill for an Act to establish the National Students Financial Aid Scheme to provide for the granting of loans to eligible students at higher institutions and repeal the provisions of the Nigeria Education Bank Act, 2004 and other matters connected therewith, 2017.”
Qualitative education for all
NANS also called for governments at all levels to make qualitative education affordable for all. This is as it flayed government’s low budgetary allocation to education in the 2018 budget.
Okereafor said the NANS leadership under Mr. Aruna Kadiri had joined students all over the world to celebrate this year’s International Students’ Day
“NANS is calling on the Government at all levels to prioritize education in the Federal Republic of Nigeria by improving the sector and making education qualitative and affordable,” he stated.
“It is highly sardonic that the education sector received lesser percentage of the Nation’s 2018 budget considering the challenges facing the education sector,” he lamented.
The apex students’ group also called for government effort at resolving the issue of incessant strike in Nigerian schools.
“We are calling on the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the incessant strike actions been embarked upon by both Academic and non academic staff unions of schools which is usually caused by non payment of staffs entitlements,” he added.
