NAESS praises Tinubu and calls for revising access conditions for student loans
The National Association of Edo State Students (NAESS) expressed its appreciation for the federal government led by President Bola Tinubu regarding the Student Loan Act. However, the association requested a review of the minimum family income requirement for beneficiaries, proposing a reduction from N500,000 to N300,000.
In a statement issued by Comrade Stepping Atemonokhai, the National President of NAESS, the association also urged the government to expedite the implementation of measures to alleviate the impact of removing petrol subsidy on ordinary Nigerians.
The statement acknowledged and applauded President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for signing the Higher Education Loan Act, popularly known as the Student Loan Act. NAESS viewed this as a positive step towards the rapid development of the education sector and an encouragement for Nigerians to pursue their educational aspirations.
Comrade Atemonokhai further emphasized that the Act aims to provide interest-free loans to financially disadvantaged Nigerian students. However, the association called on the federal government to make the following adjustments to the student loan act: lowering the applicant or family income requirement from #500,000 to #300,000. NAESS believes that such adjustments, coupled with the provision of free education, would contribute to job creation for Nigerian students after graduation and assist in loan repayment.
Additionally, NAESS appealed to the Federal Government to expedite the implementation of palliative measures to mitigate the effects of subsidy removal on students. The rising costs of transportation and food have significantly impacted the limited budgets of Nigerian students.
