Amidst mounting anticipation, the Federal Government has delivered a stunning blow, abruptly postponing the highly anticipated launch of the Nigerian Students Loan Scheme, leaving students and stakeholders in limbo.
In a bombshell announcement, Akintunde Sawyer, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, revealed the indefinite delay during a gripping interview with Arise News.
“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to commit to a specific date. We are sort of waiting to ensure that all the stakeholders are aligned to make sure that nobody is blindsided, then we can actually roll this out in a meaningful, comprehensive, wholesome, and sustainable way,” he said.
Originally slated to kick off this Thursday, the loan initiative has now been shelved indefinitely, as Sawyer cited the need for critical corrections before its rollout.
With hopes dashed and uncertainty looming, Sawyer’s cryptic remarks offered little solace, as he declined to commit to a specific launch date, emphasizing the imperative of aligning all stakeholders for a seamless and sustainable implementation.
The postponement marks yet another setback for the long-awaited scheme, which had already witnessed multiple delays since its inception.
President Bola Tinubu’s ambitious vision to establish a Students Loan Fund, championed by former Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, has been marred by persistent setbacks and missed deadlines.
Despite assurances from President Tinubu and Education Minister Yusuf Sununu, who touted completed preparations and imminent commencement, the program’s fate remains uncertain, casting a pall of disappointment over eager students and advocates.
