The University of Ilorin (Unilorin) branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) advocates for the conversion of the federal government’s student loan scheme into grants.
Dr Alex Akanmu, the ASUU branch Chairman, expressed this view during the presentation of scholarships to outstanding students, emphasizing the difficulty beneficiaries may face in repayment.
He cited a case where a scholarship recipient struggled to afford transportation to the institution.
“We had a case of one of the (scholarship) beneficiaries who was contacted to come forward to receive the award and was struggling to get transport fare to the institution.
“To this end, we urge the federal government to make grants rather than loans available to students so that indigent students can have access to affordable education.
“If it were loans we gave them today, how are they going to pay back?”
The plea encourages the government to provide grants instead of loans, ensuring that economically disadvantaged students can access affordable education.
The federal government has allocated N50 billion in the 2024 budget for the implementation of the student loan scheme starting in January 2024.
Ada Peter
