The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a strong call to the federal and state governments to take decisive action against Vice Chancellors, Rectors, and Provosts of tertiary institutions found culpable in the mismanagement of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) scheme.
In a statement released on Saturday, NANS expressed deep concern over what it described as “growing reports of administrative abuse and systemic corruption” threatening the integrity of the NELFUND initiative, which was designed to provide financial relief to Nigerian students through accessible educational loans.
The student body emphasized that the success of the NELFUND scheme relies heavily on the transparent and accountable conduct of institutional administrators.
It urged the government to adopt a zero-tolerance approach by immediately removing and prosecuting any official involved in financial malpractice.
"We will not sit back and watch the hopes of millions of Nigerian students be crushed by the greed and irresponsibility of a few," the statement read.
"Those charged with overseeing this fund must be held to the highest standards of integrity. Any Vice Chancellor, Rector, or Provost implicated in diverting or mismanaging these funds must be relieved of their duties without delay."
NANS also called on anti-corruption agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to launch investigations into the handling of NELFUND across institutions, stressing the importance of restoring public trust in the initiative.
The association warned that continued mismanagement could lead to student unrest and nationwide protests, if not addressed swiftly.
The NELFUND scheme, introduced as a solution to the financial challenges faced by students in public tertiary institutions, has come under scrutiny amid complaints about delays, lack of access, and alleged irregularities in disbursement processes.
As pressure mounts, the response from government authorities and regulatory bodies will be closely watched in the coming days.
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