13th January, 2024
By Stanley Nwanosike
The President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Pedro Obi, has said approval of N683 billion as the 2024 Intervention Fund for public tertiary education institutions by President Bola Tinubu was a “monumental decision” and a significant milestone in the development of the education system in the country.
Obi said this while applauding the President in a chat with journalists in Enugu on Friday.
He added that as an association, NANS recognised the immense dedication and commitment of President Tinubu towards improving the quality of education in Nigeria.
Obi added that the N683 billion approval also demonstrates Tinubu’s government’s unwavering support for public tertiary institutions.
This, he said, remained a clear indication of President Tinubu’s recognition of the pivotal role that education plays in shaping the future of the nation.
The NANS President, however, urged the management of the institutions to utilise the subvention for initiatives that will directly benefit the students and enhance the quality of education in tertiary institutions across the country.
“We believe that the allocation of these funds will go a long way in addressing the various challenges faced by public tertiary institutions across the country.
“NANS urges the management of the institutions to utilise the subvention properly and transparently.
“It is imperative that these funds are directed towards initiatives that will directly benefit the students and enhance the quality of education offered in these institutions,” he said.
The NANS boss also implored the management of the schools to ensure that the intervention helped to reduce the increment and hike in school fees experienced by students in tertiary institutions.
“It is our firm belief that education should be affordable and accessible to all, and the prudent utilisation of these funds will contribute to achieving this goal.
“NANS remains committed to collaborating with the government and all relevant stakeholders to address the challenges facing the Nigerian educational system.
“We are confident that with continued support and investment in the sector, we can create an enabling environment for students to thrive academically and become productive members of society.
“Once again, we express our deepest appreciation to President Tinubu for his visionary leadership and commitment to the advancement of education in Nigeria,” he said.
Obi, however, called on students to remain focused, and dedicated, and utilise the opportunities provided by this intervention fund for their educational and personal growth and development.
The amount was announced on Friday by the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Mr Sonny Echono, during a strategic planning meeting with heads of beneficiary institutions in Abuja.