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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.
Members of the Enugu State Caucus of Peoples Democratic Party, ( PDP) in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Nnolim Nnaji , Rt. Hon. Martins Oke and Hon Anayo Onwuegbu have welcomed Rt. Hon. Dennis Agbo and Hon. Chidi Mark Obeta of Labour Party, (LP) to the PDP fold.
They observed that the visionary leadership of Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mba in Enugu State has ignited massive decamps and unprecedented upsurge of membership of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in the state.
The caucus in a statement issued after the two members of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Dennis Agbo of Igboeze North/ Udenu and Chidi Mark Obeta who represents Nsukka/Igboeze South formally announced their transfer of membership to PDP at the resumption of House plenary on Tuesday said it was gladdening to receive them into the PDP fold.
They stressed that PDP in Enugu State was witnessing a great rebirth as a result of the transformative development agenda being unleashed in various sectors of the economy of the state by Governor Mba which has received global commendations.
The Enugu State caucus Leader, Rt. Hon. Nnolim Nnaji on behalf of the members further noted that Governor Mba’s investments in infrastructure, agro economy, and security among others have made Enugu State a tourist’s haven adding that with the good governance structure he has put in place, his second tenure would be a walkover.
Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, along with twenty-one other former members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), elected into the Assembly has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), following a major realignment of political stakeholders across the state.
The defection of the twenty-two lawmakers has effectively transformed the Delta State House of Assembly into a one-party legislature, as the remaining seven members were originally elected on the ticket of the APC.
Announcing the development on Tuesday during the resumption of plenary after the Easter break, the Speaker stated that the decision was the result of extensive consultations with their constituents and political leaders throughout the state.
He emphasized that the move aligned with Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
While expressing appreciation to members for their contributions so far, Guwor urged the House to ensure the completion of all pending bills as the second legislative session nears its end.
He noted that the political shift towards the APC was in response to the realignment of stakeholders and the desire to align with the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
“The mass defection of members of the Peoples Democratic Party, led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, to the All Progressives Congress was made in the overall interest of Deltans and the state,” the Speaker said.
He explained that the decision followed extensive consultations held on April 23 and which cumulated on the official reception on April 28, 2025, at the Government House and the Cenotaph, respectively.
He said: “We are fully committed to partnering with the Federal Government to deliver greater development to Deltans.
“On behalf of the House, I commend the courage and visionary leadership of our Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, in making this strategic and timely decision.
“As a legislative body, we stand with His Excellency in this endeavour. This renewed partnership between the state and Federal Government must be supported and allowed to flourish, so that we can begin to enjoy its benefits in the shortest possible time.”
He informed the House that he had received twenty-two letters (including his own) notifying of the change of party affiliation from the PDP to the APC.
The defection, he said, was driven by instability within the PDP’s national leadership and factional divisions within the South-South Zonal Executive Committee, leading to internal conflicts and disunity within the party.
Citing Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Speaker affirmed the constitutional basis for the defection.
“With this action, the Delta State House of Assembly is now composed entirely of members from the All Progressives Congress. We thank our constituents for endorsing this progressive course of action”.
A motion to adopt the letters of party change was moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, and seconded by Hon. Ferguson Onwo, who represents Isoko South II.
Speaking to journalists after the plenary, the Majority Leader, Hon Emeka Nwaobi reiterated that the defection was prompted by the crisis within the PDP.
“Our decision was based on the instability at the national level and the factionalization at the South-South level. Consequently, we chose to move to the ruling All Progressives Congress, in accordance with Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended,” he said.
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