Professor Olasebikan Fakulojo, Vice-Chancellor of Joseph Ayodele Babalola University (JABU), Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State, has criticized the federal government’s decision to exclude private university students from accessing the Nigerian Student Loan Scheme. Speaking at a press briefing ahead of JABU’s 15th convocation, Prof. Fakulojo described the exclusion as an act of injustice and inequity.
Key Arguments Against the Exclusion
- Inclusivity for All Nigerian Students: Prof. Fakulojo emphasized that the Nigerian University Student Loan Scheme Act does not explicitly exclude students of private universities. He stated that all Nigerian students, irrespective of the institution they attend, deserve access to financial support.
- Economic Contributions of Private Institutions: Unlike public universities, private institutions contribute to national revenues through taxes. Prof. Fakulojo argued that this contribution warrants equal treatment under the loan scheme.
- Proposed Loan Cap for Equity: To address concerns about varying tuition fees, he suggested implementing a loan ceiling, such as N500,000 or N1 million per student, ensuring fairness while accommodating private university students.
JABU’s Achievements and Convocation Highlights
The vice chancellor also highlighted JABU’s successes ahead of its upcoming convocation ceremony:
- Graduates: A total of 626 students will receive degrees, including 50 first-class honours and 114 postgraduate awards (PGD, MSc, MA, and PhD).
- Honorary Degrees: Notable personalities, including Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, will be conferred honorary doctorate degrees.
The exclusion of private university students from the loan scheme has sparked broader debates about equity and fairness in Nigeria’s education policies. Prof. Fakulojo’s remarks underscore the need for a more inclusive approach to support all Nigerian students.
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