The Personal Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Constituency Affairs, Khadijat Kareem, has urged youths, particularly students in the South-West, to take full advantage of the Federal Government’s student loan programme to support their education.
Speaking at a town hall meeting with key stakeholders in Oyo State, held at Koltol Hotel, Ikolaba, Ibadan, Kareem expressed concern over the low participation of students in the region compared to other parts of the country.
“The turnout for the Federal Government’s student loan scheme in the South-West is very poor compared to other regions,” she stated. “They are benefiting, they are applying, but we are lagging behind. I appeal to our youths, students, governors, leaders, and other stakeholders to encourage greater participation so that we can also benefit maximally.”
She emphasised that the loan does not require collateral, only a letter of admission, and urged parents and guardians to inform their children about the opportunity.
“Other regions are taking advantage of this loan. This is a student loan that doesn’t require any collateral—just your admission letter. Please, for God’s sake, let’s work together to bring back the ‘Renewed Hope’ that Mr. President envisions,” she said.
Kareem also highlighted other initiatives aimed at engaging young people positively.
“The Minister of Youth is working tirelessly to engage our youths. A portal has been created for vulnerable youths—please take advantage of it. Mr. President’s goal is to create a brighter future where every citizen has access to quality education, healthcare, and economic opportunities,” she added.
She assured attendees that she would return to Ibadan with a “massive empowerment programme” in the near future and promised to relay their concerns directly to President Tinubu.
During the event, several stakeholders raised concerns about infrastructure and economic challenges in the state.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke, commended the President for his intervention in abandoned projects and reaffirmed Governor Seyi Makinde’s commitment to youth development.
Community leaders also called attention to uncompleted projects in their areas, urging the Federal Government to address them.
The Amirat of the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria, Latifat Dairo, decried the deplorable state of the Ibadan-Oyo-Ogbomoso Road, citing frequent accidents and loss of lives.
“We are pleading with the government to address this road issue to prevent further tragedies,” she said.
She also urged the government to revamp the University College Hospital, Ibadan, which she described as deteriorating due to inadequate infrastructure, water supply, electricity, and a shortage of medical personnel.
Similarly, the Director General of the World Islamic Peace Foundation, Busari Salaudeen, appealed to President Tinubu to address the rising cost of petroleum products and make fuel more affordable for Nigerians.
Other speakers called for the extension of railway lines across the country and urged the government to mandate tanker drivers to use rail transport to prevent road explosions, which have claimed numerous lives.
After the meeting, Kareem inspected some abandoned projects within the Ibadan metropolis.
