Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to Nigeria’s President, has urged Nigerian students to rally against opposition to the Student Loan Funds policy, emphasising its aim to ensure every Nigerian student, regardless of background, has access to quality education.
Gbajabiamila made these remarks during a meeting with representatives from the National Association of Nigerian Students, led by President Lucky Emonefe, at the Abuja State House.
He affirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to the successful implementation of the student loan scheme, revealing plans for its launch within the next three weeks.
Gbajabiamila stated, ” “Mr. President is absolutely determined that we see it through successfully. We are hoping it will be launched in the next two to three weeks; we are trying to dot the I(s) and the T(s) before it is launched to ensure we have policies that cannot be faulted.”
He stressed the significance of the student loan programme, noting its potential to become a cornerstone of the current administration’s legacy.
Gbajabiamila urged Nigerian students to actively support the initiative, emphasising its constitutional mandate to ensure educational opportunities are not restricted by birth circumstances.
“Now we are going to need you in the success of this policy because, generally, it is a well received policy .
“It is to make sure people are not deprived of their education just because of circumstances of their birth, that itself is unconstitutional,” he remarked.
Additionally, Gbajabiamila assured students of the government’s commitment to preventing any potential disruption by addressing concerns raised by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
“Luckily, we have a president who is more than anybody determined that the days of strike are over and left behind. We are hoping to be able to avert the strikes,” he assured.
Furthermore, he praised the inclusion of youth representation in the Federal Executive Council and revealed plans for a Youth Advisory Council to advise the President on matters concerning youth development.
“You have among you two comrades standing in for you in the cabinet. We are mauling the idea, it has not come into fruition yet. I hope it will come into fruition. We are working assiduously on Youth Advisory council that will sit time to time and advise the President on youth matters and other matters that are injunction towards youth development,” he concluded.