The former Speaker of the House of Representatives and incoming Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, expressed his appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the Student’s Loan (Access to Higher Education) Bill into law.
Gbajabiamila praised the President for his dedication and empathy towards Nigerians, demonstrated by his swift enactment of impactful legislation since assuming office. He emphasized that the new law guarantees and strengthens the future of the country by ensuring that no Nigerian child would be denied access to tertiary education due to financial constraints.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, Gbajabiamila highlighted the challenges faced by the unemployed and low-income earners, as well as the high cost of living in Nigeria, which have made quality higher education inaccessible and unattainable for many.
He stressed the significance of a well-educated populace in national development and global competitiveness, asserting that higher education should be viewed as a public good benefiting the entire nation, rather than solely benefiting individuals.
The Student Loan Bill establishes the Nigerian Education Fund, which will be managed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Qualified applicants will have the opportunity to access education loans through commercial banks in the country. Gbajabiamila commended the President’s endorsement of the bill, considering it a testament to the harmonious relationship between the legislative and executive branches during his tenure as President.
The statement added that “When the actions of the President are viewed critically and without prejudice, it is reassuring that Nigerians are bound to enjoy good governance if the Legislature and the Executive will continue this symbiotic relationship that has brought massive change into governance within such a short period in the life of this administration.
“While I congratulate Nigerians on this new feat, I will equally implore our indigent youths to maximize the advantage of the new law that will enable them to chart the future they crave for themselves”.
