Convert Student Loan To Grants For Poor Students - ASUU Tells Tinubu

Emmanuel Osodoke, the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged President Bola Tinubu to convert the newly assented Students Loans Act to grant for poor students because it is not sustainable. “This would have been better if we are giving it to those set of students who are very poor, it should be called a grant, not a loan,” ASUU National President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke said on Channels Television on Sunday, June 18.

“It should be called a grant since it is coming from the Federation Account and not that (after) these people have access it and when they are graduating, they have heavy loads behind them and within two years, if they don’t pay, they go to jail. That’s why we’re talking about collective bargaining, you have views from all the sides.”

Last week Monday, Tinubu signed into law the Students Loans Bill in fulfilment of a promise he made during his campaign. The law provides for interest-free loans to poor Nigerian students. The bill was sponsored by the Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who is now the President’s Chief of Staff. But Osideke said the loan is impracticable and “not sustainable”.

Osodeke said, “The idea of student loan came in 1972 and it was in a bank established. People who took loans never paid, you can go and investigate. In 1994, 1993, the military enacted Decree 50 also set up a Students’ Loan Board. The National Assembly domesticated it in 2004 and within a year, it went off. The money disappeared. We want to see how this one will be different.”

According to him, there are more than one million students in Nigerian public universities and the loan cannot adequately cater for students’ tuition. The ASUU President said the conditions for the loan are “not practicable”, adding that more than 90% of students won’t meet the “stringent requirements” to access and repay the loan.

“We, as a union also did research of countries all over the world, of people who have benefited from this loan, they were committing su*cide. Recently, (President Joe) Biden is trying to pay back the bank loans of some who borrowed in the US,” he said. “It is better to look for alternative means of funding education than to be encumbering students whose parents earn N30,000 a month with a loan.”

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Posted: at 19-06-2023 12:22 PM (1 year ago) | Addicted Hero

Make una kukuma forget about this loan matter. Make the economy a working economy.  Businesses will thrive, jobs will be available and parents will be able to afford tuitions for their children. The loan come be like wahala now

Posted: at 19-06-2023 12:42 PM (1 year ago) | Gistmaniac

I understand the concerns raised by the ASUU President regarding the sustainability and practicality of student loans in Nigeria. It is indeed crucial to consider the financial capabilities of students and their families. Exploring alternative means of funding education, such as grants or scholarships, could be a more viable solution to alleviate the burden of heavy debts. For students with bad credit who are seeking student loan options, it's important to research and find the best available resources. Websites like https://fitmymoney.com/best-student-loans-for-bad-credit/ can provide valuable information on the best student loans for individuals with bad credit. It's essential to consider all options and make informed decisions that prioritize the financial well-being of students and their families. Education is a fundamental right, and finding ways to support students without burdening them with overwhelming debt should be a priority. By exploring alternatives and promoting access to affordable education, we can ensure a brighter future for all students.

Posted: at 26-06-2023 02:27 PM (1 year ago) | Newbie