News
Tinubu writes House, Seeks Repeal, Re-enactment Of Student Loans Bill
…as bill gets expeditious heariing scale First, second reading
By Gloria Ikibah
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted a letter to House of Representatives seeking the repeal and reenactment of the Students Loan Bill.
The letter which titled “TRANSMISSION OF STUDENT LOANS (ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION) (REPEAL AND RE-ENACTMENT) BILL, 2024 and dated March 14, 2024, was read by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, on Thursday at plenary.
This according to President Tinubu seeks to enhance the implementation of the Higher Education Student Loan Scheme by addressing challenges related to the management structure of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELF).
The letter reads: “Pursuant to Section 58(2) of the Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). I forward, herewith, The Student Loan (Access to Higher Education) (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2024 for the kind consideration of the House of Representatives.
“The Student Loan (Access to Higher Education) (Repeal and Re- Enactment) Bill, 2024 seeks to enhance the implementation of the Higher Education Student Loan Scheme by addressing challenges related to the management structure of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELF), applicant eligibility requirements, loan purpose, funding sources and disbursement and repayment procedures.
“Whilst hoping that this submission will receive the usual expeditious consideration of the House of Representatives, please accept, Rt. Honourable Speaker, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
Meanwhile, “A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Students Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2023 and Enact
the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Bill, 2024 to Establish the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as a Body Corporate to Receive, Manage and Invest Funds to Provide Loans to Nigerians
for Higher Education, Vocational Training and Skills Acquisition and for Related Matters (HB.1266), was present on Thursday at plenary.
The Bill to repeal and reenactment, received expeditious hearing as it scaled first and second reading.
Lawmakers who debated the bill on the floor of the House were unanimous in their agreement that it should be passed to law as quickly as possible for the benefit of Nigerian education.
Minority Leader, Rep. Kinglsey Chinda commended President Tinubu for initiating the executive bill.
He said: “This is what Nigerian students have been waiting for and this bill is clearly in the interest of our children out there.
“The lapses in the first bill have been rectified in this new bill. Let us pass this bill and transmit it to the executive for implementation”.
Also speaking, Rep. Miriam Onuoha, member representing Onuimo/Okigwe/Isiala Mbano Federal Constituency of Imo State, noted that many Nigerians will benefit from the student loan scheme.
“This will be a relief to struggling mothers who are often threatened by lack of adequate fund to send their children to school.
“With this loan scheme, access to education is increased. Youths will be taken off the streets and I believe this will is part of the solution to kidnapping, insecurity and terrorism,” she said.
On his part, Rep. Philip Agbese who urged lawmakers to support the bill, advised that no part of the country should be disenfranchised from accessing the student loan once it takes off.
“I want to urge that the Federal Government should put mechanism in place to ensure that no part or region is disfranchised from this scheme,” he said.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Again, three members of the House of Representatives from Katsina State officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during plenary at the National Assembly today.
The defection was formally announced during plenary and has immediately altered the political composition of Katsina’s representation in the House.
Lawmakers who Defected: Hon. Salisu Yusuf Majigiri – Representing Mashi/Dutsi Federal Constituency Hon. Aliyu Iliyasu Ruma – Representing Batsari/Safana/Danmusa Federal Constituency Hon. Abdullahi Balarabe Dabai – Representing Bakori/Danja Federal Constituency
Defection Confirmed in House Plenary The Speaker of the House of Representatives formally acknowledged the defection letters submitted by the lawmakers. The legislators cited internal crises within the PDP in their respective constituencies and the inability of the party to uphold democratic principles as key reasons for their decision. Hon. Salisu Majigiri, a former chairman of the PDP in Katsina State, was considered one of the strongest opposition figures in the region. His move to the APC is seen as a major win for the ruling party, particularly ahead of future political calculations in the North-West.
By Francesca Hangeior
Some academics and alumni have called for the urgent constitution of a new governing council for the University of Abuja.
They also asked the federal government to extend the tenure of the acting vice-chancellor of the University, Patricia Lar who has three months left in her appointment.
Although her mandate is for six months, they want it extended to allow for the completion of ongoing reforms.
The academics said this would enable her to continue the ‘rescue mission’ gains the university is experiencing under her leadership.
They said this in a joint statement signed by Godwin Okaneme of the department of philosophy, Iheanyichukwu Ukpabi of the department of policy and strategic studies, Abuja Leadership Centre, and Umoru Abdulrasheed Oseni of the faculty of education at the university.
The academics described her emergence as a “rescue mission” following the removal of Aisha Maikudi, the former VC, on February 6.
The statement said: “The University does not yet have a full-fledged Governing Council. We appeal to the Federal Government to expedite action on the appointment of a Governing Council for the University to enable the institution run effectively and efficiently without encumbrances.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal High Court in Abuja has quashed a suit filed by MultiChoice Nigeria, the parent company of DStv and GOtv, challenging the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (FCCPC) intervention in its recent subscription price hike.
Delivering judgement on Thursday, Justice James Omotoso ruled that the suit constituted an abuse of court process as similar proceedings were already pending elsewhere.
He stressed that the plaintiff should have pursued its arguments in that court, rendering the current filing procedurally inappropriate.
Justice Omotoso noted that while the FCCPC has investigative powers under its establishing Act, it lacks the authority to fix or suspend prices unless specifically delegated by the President through a gazetted instrument. No such delegation was presented to the court.
“The power to fix prices is exclusively that of the President. Any decision taken without such delegation is a nullity,” he stated.
He added that Nigeria operates a free market system, and service providers like MultiChoice retain the right to set their prices, with consumers free to accept or reject them.
The judge further ruled that FCCPC’s actions, including directing MultiChoice to suspend its price increase, breached the company’s right to fair hearing and appeared selectively targeted.
He dismissed the FCCPC’s claim that MultiChoice held a dominant market position, calling the argument untenable.
The use of services like those provided by the plaintiff is discretionary and not essential. Nigeria can do without it,” he added.
He warned that attempts to fix prices by regulatory bodies could scare off investors and harm the economy.
The court held that while the FCCPC may investigate market practices, it cannot impose price controls without proper legal backing.
MultiChoice had increased subscription rates by up to 25% on March 1, 2025, citing inflation and operational cost pressures.
The FCCPC opposed the move and threatened to sanction the firm.
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