The Federal Government has disbursed N32.8 billion in student loans to 192,000 students across 150 tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known at a ministerial briefing in Abuja. He revealed that out of 371,000 applicants, those who met the criteria have received funds.
On the sustainability of the programme, Idris reassured that the scheme remains transparent and has room for more eligible students. He explained that the loan covers tuition fees and upkeep allowances throughout the student’s academic journey.
“When the students loan scheme started, the federal government made provisions for 500,000 people. As of today, only 169,000 have been captured. This means there is still space for more people.
“The programme is very straight forward and streamline scheme. All those who were qualified have been taken. If your application didn’t sail through is because you didn’t meet the criteria. It is purely an online thing and there is no discrimination about it.
“If you get admission today and you are enrolled, you are assured of the subsequent year until you graduate. That is the standard. We don’t want a situation where you get the loan for the first year and you are unable to continue with education in the subsequent years.
“The is why the loan is divided into two. The first part is school fees while the second is upkeep allowance,” he said.
