By Peter Omopo
The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has issued a five-day ultimatum to the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), demanding a comprehensive breakdown of student loan disbursements, specifically how polytechnic students have benefited from the scheme.
The ultimatum comes amid growing concerns and allegations of financial irregularities surrounding the student loan programme. The National Orientation Agency recently accused some tertiary institutions and banks of engaging in fraudulent deductions from loan disbursements meant for students.
Adding to the controversy, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) last week revealed that out of the N100 billion reportedly released by NELFUND for student loans, only N71 billion has been properly accounted for so far.
The rising suspicion has triggered national outrage and student unrest, including a protest on Monday by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), which blocked the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to demand accountability.
In a statement issued Wednesday, NAPS, through its President Eshiofune Oghayan and Senate President Oyewumi Ayomide, called on NELFUND to make public a detailed account of loan disbursements within five days or face coordinated nationwide protests.
“We issue a five-day ultimatum to the NELFUND board to publicly provide a detailed breakdown of how funds were disbursed, with specific figures showing how polytechnic students benefited,” the communique read.
The association warned that failure to meet this demand would result in mass mobilization and demonstrations across the country, insisting that transparency and accountability must be upheld in the management of public education funds.
