The eargely anticipated launch of the Student Loan Scheme’s online application by President Bola Tinubu today (February 26) may not hold.
The Guardian gathered that the scheme’s launch, which has suffered several postponements may again be shifted.
As of the time of filing this report, some of the key stakeholders are still at sea as to whether the event would hold or not, as they are yet to be officially communicated to.
The scheme was first slated for September 2023 before being shifted to January 2024, February 21 and later 26. The development means the scheme has suffered postponement four times.
Investigations showed that some of the reasons for the latest postponement include logistic challenges arising from domiciling the’ Loans Board at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) instead of Federal Ministry of Education and delay in the launch of the website where students are expected to apply for the facility.
In an exclusive interview with The Guardian last night, the President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Lucky Emonefe said the body is still awaiting communication from the Federal Government.
On whether the website has been launched, the NANS President answered in the negative. He also revealed that the strict conditions in accessing the facility has been relaxed.
Last week, the special committee to oversee the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), held an inaugural meeting with the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Chairman of the panel, Olayemi Cardoso disclosing that the scheme would take-off on Monday, February 26, 2024.
