Nigerian student loan bill passes 3rd reading in House of Reps

A bill to enable Nigerian students to access loans at interest-free rates passed third reading in the House of Reps.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Nigerian House of Representatives after plenary during the week.

Another bill passed seeks to reserve 10 per cent of available jobs in Ministries and Agencies for persons living with disabilities and also passed the third reading

According to the statement by the House of Reps, the two bills, which were sponsored by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, passed third reading at the House on Wednesday in Abuja along with 10 other bills.

They added, “The student loan bill, which provides for interest-free loans to indigent Nigerian students, has passed third reading at the House of Representatives.

“Another critical bill, which seeks to reserve 10 per cent of available jobs in Ministries and agencies for persons living with disabilities, also passed the third reading.”

The statement added that the long title of the bill is for an Act to repeal the Nigerian Education Bank Act and Enact the Student Loan (Access to Higher Education) Act.

“To provide easy access to higher education for indigent Nigerians through interest-free loans from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund established in this Act with a view to providing education for all Nigerians and for related matters.

The other read, “A Bill for an Act to provide that 10 per cent of jobs available in all federal MDAs and companies be distributed among the physically challenged persons in Nigeria where such persons apply and are qualified for the job and for related matters.”

The bill: The office of House leader Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila said the bill was titled, “A Bill For An Act To Provide For Easy Access To Higher Education For Nigerians Through Interest-free Loans From The Nigerian Education Bank.”

The House had passed the bill earlier and forwarded it to the Senate for concurrence. The Senate, in turn, passed the bill on Nov. 22.