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Tinubu Knocks Critics Over Student Loan Scheme
President Bola Tinubu has knocked scholars and critics of the student loan scheme introduced by his administration, saying that the scheme would be pursued with all intent in the interest of Nigerian students.
The president noted that the student loan scheme was introduced to give equal access to quality education by the students, especially the vulnerable ones towards competing with their counterparts across the world.
Tinubu who spoke at the weekend during the eighth convocation ceremony of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) expressed displeasure to critics of the scheme, calling on them to offer advice and suggestions on how to improve it.
The high point of the ceremony was the conferment of honourary degree of the university on the senate leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Doctor of Public Law); Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Adeola( Doctor of Accounting) and the Chairman House of Representatives committee on Navy, Yusuf Gadji (Doctor of Political Science)
Represented by the deputy senate president, Senator Jibril Barau, the president said education remains a crucial aspect of his agenda for the socio-economic development of the country, assuring stakeholders that his administration would ensure, “ education is accessible by all willing Nigerians through pragmatic funding and realistic policies.”
“ Student loan schemes are not rocket science initiatives, they are designed to grant access to all who are willing and who know the value of education in a way to take the burden off numerous individuals and communities who may have been intervening painfully in sending their wards to school.
“ I expect that scholars would advise the government by calling our attention to how best this could be managed in their respective institutions, rather than cast aspersions on the idea.
“ By the grace of the Almighty God, there is no going back on the student loan scheme because we are not ready to compromise good standards in education.”
He encouraged FUOYE and other institutions in the country to be above board in contributing to the development of the country with cutting-edge research and embrace the realities of a twenty-first century where technology is taking the lead.
“ Institutions of higher learning must recognize the next possible disruptions that technology may bring and must be properly positioned to mitigate the challenges and must from time to time take charge of innovations.
“ Without education playing this catalytic role, not much development can be recorded in any nation in this century. Universities in particular should be the vanguard of research, teaching, and community service in line with the tripartite mandate,” Tinubu said.
On his part, the chancellor of FUOYE, the Attah of Igala land, Dr Mattew Opaluwa said the Vice-chancellor, Professor Abayomi Fasina since his assumption in 2021, and his team, “ have brought exemplary leadership, innovation, transparency and a spirit of welfarism to advance the visions of the founding fathers.
On the challenges of funding, the chancellor called on stakeholders, especially private individuals to support the N50 billion endowment fund of the university,” to reposition FUOYE in its statutory role of providing a bedrock for the future growth and development of Nigeria.
The Ekiti state governor, Biodun Oyebanji called on universities in the country to prioritise research efforts aimed at tackling critical challenges confronting the nation as well as producing graduates who are solution providers.
Governor Oyebanji stressed the need for institutions to produce graduates equipped with the skills and mindset to tackle the pressing problems of the country head-on.
He justified the importance of nurturing a generation of problem solvers poised to drive sustainable development, urging universities to revamp their curricula to emphasize critical thinking, creativity, and entrepreneurship that could provide solutions to the problems of this country.
“As a government, we will continue to collaborate with this institution but I plead with you sir, university must put a lot of emphasis on research, we must produce solution providers, people that will help to solve the problem of this country,” the Governor said.
Speaking on behalf of the honourees, the Senate majority leader, Senator Bamidele said they valued the honour conferred on them by the university and expressed their profound appreciation for the recognition bestowed upon them
He said the honorary degree conferred on them serves as testament to their dedication, achievement, and commitment to excellence in their respective fields.
The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has taken delivery of five new helicopters as the Federal Government steps up efforts to modernise the country’s airpower capabilities and strengthen military operations against security threats.
The platforms comprise three AW-109 Trekker B helicopters manufactured by Leonardo Helicopters of Italy and two H-125 helicopters manufactured by Airbus Helicopters.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, the NAF said the three AW-109s, which are part of 10 recently acquired by the Federal Government, were received in Lagos on September 15, 2026, while the remaining seven are expected to be delivered before the end of the year. The two H-125 helicopters had been delivered earlier.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, said the new helicopters would increase aircraft availability and improve the NAF’s ability to support ongoing military operations.
“The arrival of these five helicopters provides greater flexibility in the employment of airpower in support of ground troops in ongoing operations,” Aneke said.
He said the AW-109 Trekker B helicopters would enhance the NAF’s capabilities in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, close air support, armed escort, combat search and rescue, and other joint operations.
Aneke added that the H-125 helicopters would provide light helicopter support for various operational requirements.
The new platforms are undergoing post-delivery assembly and technical and crew-readiness processes ahead of their induction and operationalisation.
Aneke said the increased rotary-wing capacity would strengthen support for joint forces conducting operations against terrorism, kidnapping and banditry.
He said the NAF would also prioritise maintenance and logistics support to ensure the new aircraft remain available for operations.
The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for a second term in office, declaring that there will be “no vacancy” in the Presidential Villa, Abuja for the next four or five years.
Oba Akiolu gave the support when the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, led members of the council on a courtesy visit to his palace in Lagos on Monday.
The monarch urged politicians to approach the 2027 General Elections with responsibility and ensure that the electoral process is peaceful and serves the interests of Nigerians.
Oba Akiolu cautioned members of the campaign council against actions capable of undermining the peace and stability of the country, even as he urged them to uphold honesty and shun the Machiavellian principle that the end justifies the means.
Speaking, the Director-General of the Campaign Council, Yari, said the delegation was in Lagos to seek the monarch’s blessings, prayers and counsel as the council begins its nationwide campaign activities ahead of the 2027 polls.
Yari said the APC believed President Tinubu deserved a second term to consolidate his administration’s efforts in the areas of the economy, security and infrastructure.
The Campaign D-G, while acknowledging the economic difficulties facing Nigerians, appealed for continued support for the president, saying APC leaders from the North would work to secure strong backing for Tinubu’s re-election across the region.
Receiving the delegation, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the visit as significant, noting that the council had made the Oba’s palace one of its early stops following its engagement with the Sokoto Caliphate.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said the visit underscored Lagos’ strategic importance to Nigeria’s political process, describing the state as the country’s commercial and economic nerve centre as well as a major political hub.
The visit was attended by Lagos APC leaders, local government chairmen, members of the National Assembly, state lawmakers and other party stakeholders.
Former Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Alhaji Mohammed Mani, has been endorsed as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in Niger state
Alhaji Mani replaces Abubakar Sulaiman, who was elected at the PDP primary last May.
Sulaiman voluntarily withdrawn from the position in the interest of the peace unity and progress of the party.
The endorsement of the former FIRS boss for the governorship contest was made by PDP stakeholders from across the state at the state party secretariat.
Addressing the stakeholders, Alhaji Mani promised to deliver the state to the PDP in next year’s election and solicited the support of party faithful for the realisation of the objective.
The new PDP candidate had earlier contested for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress(APC) which Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago got by “ consensus.”
He was among the APC aspirants who lost in the primary election and recently defected to the PDP.
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