Student loan will make tertiary education affordable – VCs 

The Committee of Vice Chancellors and Registrars of Private Universities in Nigeria has commended President Bola Tinubu for signing into law the Student Loan Bill, saying the bill would enable more students to be able to afford either public or private education at the tertiary level.

The Chairman, CVCRPUN and Vice Chancellor of Lead City University, Prof Kabiru Adeyemo, said these during the committee’s general assembly, which held at the International Conference Centre of the university in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Adeyemo said the loan would avail indigent students in private and public universities the opportunity to pursue their academic careers.

He said private universities had in recent years witnessed remarkable growth, which he said was a product of unwavering dedication, commitment and adherence to the highest standards of quality education.

He added, “We must continue to build on this foundation, striving to create an environment that nurtures critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and a strong sense of social responsibility.

“As vice chancellors and registrars, you hold critical positions of influence and take responsibility in shaping the destiny of our institutions and the students who pass through their hallowed halls.

“We thank President Bola Tinubu for the introduction of the student loan. He has signed that bill, which I believe is not only for public universities; private universities would also benefit from it.

“Some of the students who are from poor backgrounds would be able to have a new financial opportunity to pursue their academic careers, so that at the end of the day they would be a force to be reckoned with.”

The Vice Chancellor, McPherson University, Ogun State, Prof Francis Igbasan, said private universities could boast of the best in terms of equipment, lecturers and even students. He said in many instances undergraduate students become chartered members of the professions.

The event attracted member vice chancellors and registrars across the country while over 25 vice chancellors joined the programme online.