By Michael Akinadewo
A civil rights group, Education Rights Campaign (ERC) has faulted the education loan policy of President Bola Tinubu, declaring it as a scam and against current economic realities.
Tinubu had signed the Access to Higher Education Act 2023 into law, to enable indigent students to access interest-free loans for their educational pursuits in any Nigerian tertiary institution. At a one-day public symposium themed: “Public education on the brink: What is to be done,” the organisation, led by the National Coordinator, Hassan Soweto, faulted the student loan policy, describing it as a ploy to commercialise education.
The group demanded a review of tuition fees recently introduced by the institutions, emphasising the need to make education accessible and affordable.
Representing the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Mr Laja Ogunkoya appealed to the Federal Government to give priority attention to the sector, reminding it that no country can develop without education. Ogunkoya said the student loan policy is a push towards capitalism and resource exploitation, which would further impoverish already burdened masses. He urged the government to reconsider its stance by prioritising accessible and affordable education for citizens.
