ASUU, ASUP raise concerns over student loan

Following the signing into law of the Student Loan Bill by President Bola Tinubu on Monday, the Academic Staff Union of Universities has described the loan bill as discriminatory between the children of the rich and the poor.

National President, ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, in an interview with The PUNCH, said, “The union will react soon but everyone knows our position on student loans because you will end up encumbering the children of the poor with loans and debt after graduating.

“This is discriminatory. If what I read online is correct, it said it is only for children whose parents earn at least N500,000 per annum. That means if your father earns more, you won’t benefit.”

Similarly, the National President, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Mr Anderson Ezeibe, said, “I have not studied the bill and we don’t want to react on the surface. But I have seen one area that will not be practicable.

“It says that students should refund the money two years after NYSC. But what is the provision for someone who is not working after NYSC?  And will they all get jobs immediately after NYSC?”

Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students described the student as the “way forward” in Nigeria’s education system but faulted the repayment terms.

NAN, Zone D, Adejuwon Emmanuel in an interview with The PUNCH decried as not feasible the ultimatum for payment.

“Without saying much, student loan bill is a way forward to the educational system in Nigeria, because it will assist students whose parents cannot afford to pay tuition fees to be able to pay with the loan.

“But as good as this is, there are some questions that need to be answered by the government. The ultimatum for repayment is not feasible. As we all know that there is no work anywhere and most graduates don’t get work immediately, how will they pay back? How will it work when most of our graduates do not get jobs? Is there any plan or opportunity for those that have no work two years after NYSC?”