THE SILENT BARRIER: DISABILITY EXCLUSION IN NIGERIA’S STUDENT LOAN ACT …by Lynn Agwuncha
In a society that aspires to achieve disability inclusion and equal opportunities for all, it is disheartening to witness policies perpetuating exclusion and hindering the progress of persons with disabilities. The recent enactment of the student loan (Access to higher education) Bill 2023 in Nigeria, although commendable in its attempt at improving access to higher education, has unfortunately failed to adequately address the needs of students with disabilities who form part of the most vulnerable and underprivileged in the society. The living expenses or other fees that students with disabilities will incur, which are more expensive than the tuition covered by the act, were virtually ignored in Section 3. The act expressly excludes accommodations, feeding, and the purchase of learning materials, which students with disabilities need to fully participate in academic activities. This falls short of giving students with disabilities equitable opportunities, continuing the unintended exc...