The vice-chancellor of the Joseph Ayodele Babalola University (JABU), Ikeji-Arakeji, in Osun State, Olasebikan Fakulojo, has called on the federal government to include students in private universities in the student loan scheme.

At a media briefing heralding the week-long 15th convocation ceremony of the institution, Mr Fakulojo said exempting the students in the private universities from loan scheme is an act of injustice.

“Nigerian students in private universities have the same citizenship rights as those in public universities. They must enjoy benefits available to all Nigerian students and should be allowed to apply for these loans,” he said.

The federal government began the students’ loan scheme this year through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). The scheme started with applicants from public tertiary institutions.

The vice-chancellor expressed concerns about why private university students are excluded from the scheme.

Mr Fakulojo also explained that students in private universities “have the same citizenship rights as those in public universities. They must enjoy benefits available to all Nigerian students and should be allowed to apply for these loans.”

He specifically urged the federal government not to disregard the students of private institutions in the loan, saying they are also part of the country’s educational system.

“If you check the Loan Scheme Act, it is titled Nigerian University Student Loan Scheme, not Nigerian Public University Student Loan Scheme. This indicates that private university students are not excluded.

“Private universities are businesses that pay assessed taxes, unlike public universities. These taxes, along with other public revenues, fund the subsidized zero-interest loans. Therefore, it is unjust for private university students to be denied access to these loans,” he said.

Mr Fakulojo said the students are assets to the country, and any loan offered to them would be paid back and not for properties of private universities.

The VC, however, called on the federal government to expand the loan to include students in the private higher institutions in the country, most especially in the interest of equity.

“There could be a maximum loan amount set due to the varying tuition fees across universities. For instance, the government could cap the loan at ₦500,000 or ₦1 million, depending on the programme.

“So, on this basis, I strongly believe that the government should revisit this issue and ensure the loan facility is made available to students in both public and private universities,” he added.