The National Association of Nigerian Students has decried the alleged diversion of student loan funds by some tertiary institutions and warned that it will stage mass protests across the country on April 24 to demand justice and accountability.
The association has also urged President Bola Tinubu to set up a monitoring team to ensure funds reach the intended beneficiaries.
Comrade Akinbodunse Felicia, NANS National Vice President, Inter-Campus and Gender Affairs, disclosed this on Thursday during a briefing in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Akinbodunse stated that it was regrettable that NELFUND, one of the most commendable policies of the present administration aimed at making education affordable for all Nigerian students, is now being threatened by the corrupt practices of some tertiary institutions.
The students’ association expressed sadness over the recent investigations into the disbursement of student loans by the National Orientation Agency, which revealed that the scheme is being tampered with by officials responsible for disbursing the loans to eligible students.
The students have, therefore, warned that they will not sit idly by while corrupt bank officials collude with tertiary institutions to jeopardise the future of Nigerian students.
The association has also called on both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch a comprehensive probe into these alleged practices, with the aim of bringing culpable institutions to justice.
Akinbodunse said, “We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to set up a monitoring system to ensure that the funds meant for student loans reach the targeted beneficiaries.
“As the President’s initiative, NELFUND must not be allowed to be tarnished by officials in charge of loan disbursement in higher institutions. Mr President must not hesitate to wield the big stick against any institution found tampering with loans meant to assist students.
“Furthermore, the EFCC, ICPC, and other relevant agencies should direct their attention to institutions suspected of engaging in corrupt practices.
“Banks found to be colluding with officials of higher institutions to short-change students should also be adequately sanctioned to serve as a deterrent to others.
“Meanwhile, we urge the NOA and NELFUND to disclose the identities of individuals or institutions misappropriating student loan funds. The identities of banks involved in such collusion should also be made public.
“On our part, the National President of NANS has placed the zonal leadership of the association on standby to mobilise against any school found to be involved in the misconduct.
“April 24 has been set by NANS to organise mass protests across all zones to draw Mr President’s attention to the covert attempts by certain individuals to divert student loan funds into private accounts.”
NANS reiterated that NELFUND will not be allowed to be undermined or corrupted by unscrupulous officials in any higher institution in the country.
Punch
