The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has given a strict ultimatum to 115 state-owned universities in Nigeria. They have 48 hours to submit detailed student information to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). This requirement is crucial because it directly affects how students can get loans from the Federal Government’s student loan program.
NELFUND reports that out of 151 state universities, only 36 have submitted the required student data so far. This delay has led NANS President, Lucky Emonefe, to strongly criticize these universities. He believes they are not doing enough to prioritize their students’ welfare by participating in the loan scheme.
Emonefe emphasized that education is a basic right, and every student deserves financial help to continue their studies. He expressed disappointment that many universities are missing out on this opportunity to support their students.
“We urge university managements to upload their students’ data to the loan board portal before the deadline,” Emonefe urged. He emphasized that NANS will closely monitor the situation to ensure all students have an equal chance to benefit from the scheme. If universities fail to meet the deadline, Emonefe warned that NANS would take action against them.
Starting from July 7, 2024, students from the 36 universities that have complied can begin applying for loans through NELFUND. The fund encouraged other universities to quickly submit their students’ data to ensure all eligible students can benefit.
According to a report by The Guardian, there are significant differences in enrollment data among various states. States like Osun have registered many institutions, but others like Delta and Rivers have not registered any.
NANS’s strong position shows how committed they are to protecting students’ rights and making sure everyone in Nigeria has a fair chance at education. It also shows the difficulties in getting every university to join government programs that help students with money while they study.
