Professor of law and vice chancellor, Kola Daisi University (KDU), Ibadan, Adeniyi Olatunbosun has made a case for the amendment of the Student Loan (Access to Higher Education Act) 2023 to accommodate private universities in the country.
Olatunbosun who made the call at a press conference in Ibadan ahead of the third convocation of the university, contended that both private and public universities produce graduates for the transformation of the country.
He emphasised that the loan should not be restricted to federal government-owned universities but to many students who desire higher education but are constrained by funds.
He also said it behoves the government not to lose sight of the critical roles of private universities in the country.
He said education should be for all reiterating that the products of higher institutions in Nigeria, whether private of public, together transform the society.
“The loan scheme is meant to assist parents to pay school fees for their children. But by and large, it does not cover private universities. Education is a public good. In that regard, we urge the federal government to extend the scheme to cover all tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
“Education is for all, there should not be any demarcation between federal, state and private universities because we are all providing services to the generality of Nigerians. The student loan should be made to cover all institutions in Nigeria. The products of private universities are for the country,” he stressed.
