The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged the Federal Government to actively monitor the disbursement of loans by the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to tertiary institutions on behalf of students. According to NANS, this step is crucial to ensure that the allocated funds are utilized effectively and directed toward meaningful educational development.
Speaking at the 86th National Senate Sitting and Pre-Convention event held at Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, the NANS Senate President, Babatunde Afeez Akinteye, emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in fund utilization. Over 5,000 student leaders from campuses across Nigeria attended the event.
Akinteye stated, “It is not enough to give schools billions of Naira in the name of NELFUND loans. The government must follow up to ensure the schools are utilizing these funds for the intended purposes. Monitoring is the only way to prevent the objectives of these loans from being forfeited.”
When asked about the students’ stance on school fee increments, Akinteye reaffirmed that NANS is strongly against any fee hikes in public institutions. He added, “We don’t want further financial pressure on our members. NELFUND loans or any other considerations cannot justify any fee increase by any school. We have communicated this position clearly to every Vice Chancellor, Rector, and Provost of colleges of education, and we’re closely following up on our stand.
Also speaking at the event, the National President of NANS, Lucky Emonefe, commended Nigerian students for their unwavering support and cooperation with the union’s leadership. He reassured them of the leadership’s continuous efforts to serve their interests effectively.
Emonefe advised students in need of financial support to explore the NELFUND loan process, describing it as both transparent and seamless. He remarked, “All that is required to access the loan is to be a genuine student and to demonstrate financial need. As board members, we ensure that the process is fair and that students benefit directly.”
The event served as a platform for robust discussions on pressing issues affecting Nigerian students, including funding, fee increments, and the welfare of students across the nation.
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