The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has strongly condemned the alleged withholding of student loans disbursed by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), warning of imminent protests should the situation persist.
In a statement released on Wednesday, NANS National Public Relations Officer, Samson Adeyemi, described the actions of some tertiary institutions and banks as “deceptive and a betrayal of trust,” following reports that students have been denied access to already disbursed loans, with institutions still demanding tuition fees.
PUNCH Online earlier reported that findings by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), through its Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers, revealed unethical practices involving some universities and banks allegedly withholding student loan funds.
The issue was highlighted during a meeting between NOA Director General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, and NELFUND Managing Director, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr. NELFUND alleged that several institutions had failed to inform students of payments made on their behalf, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in the student loan disbursement process.
Reacting to the revelations, Adeyemi said, “These actions, which include failing to inform students about loan disbursements and demanding tuition payments despite receiving funds, are not only deceptive but also a betrayal of the trust placed in these institutions.”
He stressed that such actions undermine the federal government’s efforts to ease access to education through financial support, adding that many students depend on the loan scheme to fund their academic pursuits.
NANS warned that it would not hesitate to mobilise nationwide protests and take legal action against institutions found culpable. It also called on NELFUND, the NOA, and relevant stakeholders to intensify investigations and ensure accountability.
“NANS remains committed to advocating for the rights and welfare of students across the nation. We urge all affected students to report any irregularities to the NANS leadership in their state and assure them of our unwavering support in this fight for justice,” the statement concluded.