Should private varsities be included in Student Loan Scheme?

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He said national development is not only tied to public institutions, stressing that economic growth could be better guaranteed with more hands in the skilled workforce.

Salihu said: “Including private universities in the NELFUND scheme could have both positive and negative implications on the quality of education in Nigeria. Although equality could be rightly cited, there’s the larger need to ensure research output, entrepreneurship, and innovation are enhanced.

“The standards could be upheld if only both institutions work towards producing graduates with skills that are in high demand.”

While his colleague, Muhammad Hassan Saganuwan, also a Biochemistry student, vetoed the move on grounds of funding private enterprises with public funds, he quoted what he once heard an expert say: “If NELFUND was established to ease the financial burdens of less privileged students with little or no means, at least, why involve those who have it all figured out to foot the expenses attached to such standards.”

Speaking of the immediate dividends, Caleb Okechukwu, a medical student at the Abia State University, said we must first understand that it goes beyond stimulating students’ interest in learning. According to him, if properly utilized, it could end in a win-win on both ends.

“The truth is that, in the long run, many private universities would be able to admit more qualified students who previously could not afford the tuition. Beyond that, it could serve as a driving force for both institutions to improve the standards of teaching and facilities to attract more beneficiaries.

“Government support through student loans is justified because the primary beneficiary is the student, not the university,” he said.

Unless we disregard this ‘rich kid’ mentality, says Usman Ahmed Alaliya, a final-year student at the Federal University of Dustin-Ma (FUDMA), its intended impact will be impeded.

The basis of his claims is not far to seek. “Not all students in private universities are wealthy. Many families make huge sacrifices, and some students still struggle financially,” he said.

Alaliya however suggests a different approach.

“Since the fund comes from taxpayers, including parents with children in private schools, everyone deserves a fair share, though more priority should be given to private universities that consistently ranks among the best in Nigeria. This should help reduce the strain on overpopulated public universities.

Referencing the future direction of financing our education sector, Shuaibu Rufai Omale, a 200-Level student of Pure and Environmental Chemistry at Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDUS), also concurred.  He said  its dual effect on the quality of education could enhance the human capital development.

The twist, Omale noted, is that we can’t walk away from issues of underfunding, infrastructural deficits, and recurring industrial actions common in public universities. Then comes the anticipatory moments.

“Extending limited public funds to private institutions often perceived as better resourced may stretch the system further if not carefully structured,” he said.

Omale said rather than diverting attention, since education is a public good regardless of the institution’s ownership, Tinubu’s government could offer assistance by extending financial support mechanism to private establishments.

His claims are valid. Beneath the rising call for inclusion lies yet another reminder of a government that finds quite a few things less than the urgency required.

Maryam Umar, also a 400-Level Law student at  UDUS, recalled  that there was hardly no reason to deny the fact that beyond the financial constraints, many would have resorted to private universities because of the deep satisfaction gained from its conducive learning environments.

That  edge could win a case if NELFUND reconsiders that public universities are also being paid for a service—training professionals in different fields.

“The truth is, we know the level of infrastructural development in private universities is often unmatched, many of our public universities still operate on outdated lab equipment and lecturer-student interactions are uncommon. This access to world class training exists in private universities, we rarely see cases of neglect of lectures because there’s close monitoring. In addition, access to lecturers improve learning outcomes thereby breeding exceptional graduates that can contribute positively into the country’s growth and development.”

“This means, expensive education is often not a choice. If the NELFUND aims to increase accessibility to education, then I don’t think it should be restricted to public universities. That way, the government is telling its youth to study in any university of their choice with the financial support promised,” said Maryam.

Although it is the government’s approach everyone loves most, history is however not quick to forget what NELFUND’s  Sawyerr had earlier said: “We must understand that the scheme is a means to redistribute wealth to balance society. We have to also know that it is a social programme meant to help in the education of the poor.”

As to why the wealth distribution should include students from private universities, Yisau Babatunde, also a final-year Law student at UDUS, said: “Including private universities will help in bridging the gap of low education output from such universities. Also private universities have modern teaching aids in different fields. Including them will bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical. Thus, leading to producing more students that can solve day-to-day problems with practical solutions.

“Private universities will contribute  own quota by putting the image of the nation in a more aesthetic way. Even people will start seeing private universities not just for the rich but an avenue for those from the poor background to have a sound education system.”