As the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) launches a portal for the first phase of the student loan programme, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has frowned at the lethargic response of federal tertiary institutions.

Specifically, the umbrella body of Nigerian students accused most federal institutions of failing to upload data of its students to the Fund’s database.

This, NAN lamented, would hinder the application of students in the affected institutions.

NANS President, Lucky Emonefe, made the allegation in a memo to all Student Union Government (SUG) Presidents, Chairmen of NANS Joint Campus Council as well as Zonal Coordinators of the association.

He called on the student leaders to prevail on the respective management of their institutions to comply with NELFUND directives, pointing out that any tertiary institution that fails to submit their students’ data to the Fund, would be excluded from accessing the loan.

“Following a meeting with the management of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), we have been made aware that several Federal Universities are yet to submit their students’ data. This is hindering the processing of the Students’ Loan scheme in various ways,” Emonefe said.

“NELFUND management has hereby requested that the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) urge the Vice Chancellors of these Federal Universities to comply with NELFUND’s directives and promptly submit their students’ data for upload on the NELFUND platform. This will enable the loan processing to commence as soon as possible.

“Please note that any Federal University that fails to submit their data may be excluded from accessing the loan, and NELFUND will not be held responsible.

“We urge all Student Union Presidents and other student leaders, particularly those from Federal Universities, to ensure that their school managements have submitted the necessary data to NELFUND. This will guarantee that no university is left out of the Students’ Loan scheme.”

Speaking at a recent Pre-Application Sensitisation Press Conference, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Fund, Akintunde Sawyerr, said only students whose institutions have completed and uploaded their students’ data on its website would be eligible to apply.

He, however, refused to disclose the number of institutions yet to submit students’ data, insisting that he would not engage in naming and shaming. (The Guardian)

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