The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has advised the Federal Government to focus on reducing the high cost of education rather than providing loans.

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged the Federal Government to prioritise reducing the high cost of education over the current student loan scheme.

Senate President of NANS, Henry Okuomo, expressed this viewpoint during a recent appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

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Okuomo highlighted that lower education costs would be more beneficial for Nigerian students than loans that may not be repayable due to high unemployment rates. He stated, “We don’t know who the beneficiaries of those loans are or the modalities for obtaining them. Accessibility remains a significant issue for many students.”

He proposed that the government should reduce fees at tertiary institutions to between ₦20,000 and ₦50,000, making education more affordable for all. He added, “Even with the loans being offered, many graduates are unable to find jobs, making repayment unrealistic.”

The student loan scheme is part of President Bola Tinubu’s educational reforms, established under the Access to Higher Education Act. The initiative aims to assist low-income Nigerians in paying their tuition fees. Recently, the fund has approved an additional 22 state-owned institutions to apply for student loans, bringing the total to 108.

The Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyer, announced the disbursement of ₦850 million to students, in addition to over ₦1.7 billion already distributed to about 20,000 students. This programme aims to benefit approximately 1.2 million students across Nigeria.

In addressing internal union matters, Okuomo clarified that Pedro Chibuzor Obi is the legitimate president of NANS, dismissing any other leadership claims as “faceless individuals” allegedly sponsored by the government.

He asserted, “NANS remains an indivisible entity under Obi’s leadership, and we do not recognise any other faction.”