An educationist, Abdulkareem Ogirima, has commended President Bola Tinubu for signing the Student Loan Bill into law, expressing optimism that the law will ameliorate the suffering of indigent students and reduce drop-out rate.
He stated this at a briefing during the yearly education fair organised by Bluestream Education Consult, in collaboration with some top Turkish universities, in Abuja.
“For us in Nigeria, we are just starting; but at least, we now know that the government is talking about student loan and we can have a conceptualisation of this loan. But what Nigeria’s own will be like is what we don’t know yet,” he stated.
According to Ogirima, Bluestream Education Consult is set to offer 100 per cent scholarships and loans to Nigerian students to further their education abroad.
The gesture, he explained, is part of the group’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), adding that Nigerian students are among the brightest in the world and deserve quality education.
He said:“Our resolve, as part of our CSR, is to continue to assist students with needed information on gaining admission, scholarships and sponsorships.
“We are proud of the performances of Nigerian students, and this is what spurs us to do even more. We are committed to solving the challenges faced by our students seeking admission into various universities around the world.
The educationist disclosed that, so far, Bluestream had helped over 1,000 students gain admission and undisclosed number to get scholarships, with its partners in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Turkey and other countries.
He added: “This year’s edition will see us give 100 per cent scholarships to students, who perform excellently in our in-house examinations.
“We are in partnership with some Turkish universities, including Sabanci University, Isik University, Istinye University, Istanbul Ozyegin University and Bahcesehir University.
The group, The Guardian gathered, also offers personalised services based on the student’s budget or academic performance.
Commending Nigeria’s student loan policy, he said, if well-articulated, it would go a long way in improving Nigerians’ access to education, just like in the UK and U.S.
“The idea will further assist indigent students gain quality education, which is in line with the Federal Government’s policies on inclusive, affordable and accessible education,” he added.
