During their visit to the State House on Tuesday, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) requested President Bola Tinubu to exclude the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund board. This request was made in response to the recently enacted students' loan bill.

After their discussions with the President, the NANS delegation, headed by their National President Umar Barambu, addressed State House Correspondents and disclosed that they had appealed to him to revise the composition of the special committee responsible for overseeing the newly established Nigerian Education Loan Fund, ensuring the inclusion of student representatives.

The President of NANS expressed gratitude to the President for the Students Loan Bill and highlighted specific clauses that they found concerning.

"Among the concerns we raised with the President was the composition of the board, where we emphasized the importance of including student representatives. We also expressed our view that certain organizations included on the board were unnecessary in our opinion."

"We provided him with an example, specifically regarding the Nigerian Bar Association and ASUU. ASUU already has its own microfinance bank, which operates independently without including students on its board. Therefore, we believe it is not wise to allow them to be part of our own board, as it is solely for students.

"We, as students, are the primary stakeholders of that bank. Hence, we do not believe it is beneficial to have them included. We mentioned several other individuals and organizations that should be removed, emphasizing the need to include more student-oriented organizations."

In response, the President assured the NANS leaders that he would carefully consider their requests. However, he also urged the student body to prioritize unity among its members nationwide in order to achieve greater success.

He emphasized the importance of promoting unity and stability within the organization and encouraged them to conduct their programs and elections through democratic means. President Tinubu expressed his belief that anyone who cannot accept and celebrate a free and fair election does not deserve the satisfaction of victory.

"No one, regardless of their background, should be hindered by poverty from accessing the highest quality education and breaking the cycle of poverty. Whether the child of a wood seller, 'boli' (plantain) seller, or yam seller, everyone deserves equal opportunities for education.

"If we collectively recognize that education is the most powerful tool in the fight against poverty, then we must prioritize investing in it. By lifting one family out of poverty, we can make a significant impact on the overall burden," emphasized the President.

The President expressed his gratitude to the students for their support regarding the removal of petrol subsidies. He provided an explanation for the decision, emphasizing the need to address the issue of smuggling.

"I am pleased that you comprehend the rationale behind the removal of subsidies. We reached a stage where Nigeria was attempting to draw water from a dry well, and that is no longer sustainable. Moreover, we must not continue to facilitate smugglers who take advantage of our tankers and transport Premium Motor Spirit across the borders. We are committed to taking decisive action," he stated.