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The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed concern over the alleged delay in the disbursement of upkeep allowances to beneficiaries of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), warning that students may embark on peaceful mass action if the issue is not resolved promptly.
In a statement issued on Saturday, NANS President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, said the association had received numerous complaints from students across the country regarding the non-payment of their monthly upkeep allowances.
Afeez alleged that the allowances had not been disbursed for the past two months, creating anxiety and hardship among beneficiaries of the student loan scheme.
According to him, the delay undermines the core objective of the NELFUND initiative, which was established to provide financial support and ease the burden on students amid prevailing economic challenges.
“The continued delay in the disbursement of these allowances is completely unacceptable,” he said.
“The primary objective of the NELFUND initiative is to provide relief and support to Nigerian students. Any delay that deprives students of access to these funds defeats the purpose for which the scheme was created.”
The NANS president called on the Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, the Minister of Education, Maruf Olatunji Alausa, and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, to urgently intervene and address all issues responsible for the delay.
He urged the authorities to provide a clear explanation to students and ensure the immediate payment of all outstanding upkeep allowances.
Afeez said NANS expected NELFUND and other relevant stakeholders to resolve the matter within the shortest possible time, warning that failure to do so could trigger nationwide peaceful protests by students.
He added that the proposed actions could include the occupation of the NELFUND headquarters until concrete measures are taken to address the situation.
The student leader, however, stressed that the notice should not be viewed as a threat but as a reflection of the frustrations being experienced by thousands of students whose welfare had been adversely affected by the delay.
He reaffirmed the association’s commitment to protecting the interests of Nigerian students and advocating for policies that support their academic pursuits and well-being.
The NELFUND scheme was introduced by the Federal Government to provide interest-free loans and support services to eligible Nigerian students in tertiary institutions. The upkeep allowance component is designed to assist beneficiaries with living expenses while pursuing their studies.
