NANS Threatens Protest Over Alleged Diversion of Student Loan Funds
The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students has demanded an investigation into claims that some tertiary institutions are misappropriating student loan funds.
The association has also threatened to hold a large-scale protest on April 24 to push for accountability from institutions found guilty.
Additionally, it called on President Bola Tinubu to establish a monitoring body to ensure the loans reach the intended students.
The NANS National Vice President for Inter-Campus and Gender Affairs, Comrade Felicia Akinbodunse, made this known during a press briefing held in Abeokuta on Thursday.
“On the part of NANS, the national president of the student body has put the zonal leadership of the association on standby to mobilise against schools discovered to be involved in the graft.
“April 24 has been chosen by NANS to organise mass protests across all the zones, to call the attention of President Bola Tinubu to the clandestine moves by some people to divert funds meant for the student loans into their private accounts,” she said.
Akinbodunse expressed disappointment that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, a crucial policy of the present government aimed at making tertiary education more accessible, was being compromised by corrupt activities in some schools.
“We call on President Bola Tinubu to set up a monitoring system to ensure that the funds meant for the student loans get to the targeted beneficiaries.
“As the President’s baby, NELFUND must not be allowed to be rubbished by officials in charge of loan disbursement in higher institutions.
“Mr President must not hesitate to wield the big stick on any higher institution found tampering with loans meant to help the students,” she said.
Akinbodunse further noted that recent findings by the National Orientation Agency regarding student loan disbursement exposed tampering by officials assigned to handle the process for eligible students.
The student association stressed that it would not tolerate a situation where dishonest bank staff collude with institutions to sabotage students’ futures.
It also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to begin thorough investigations into the alleged misconduct and prosecute guilty institutions.
“Furthermore, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, and other related offenses commissions should be directed to beam their searchlights on institutions suspected of corrupt practices.
“Also, banks found to be conniving with officials of higher institutions to shortchange students should be adequately sanctioned to serve as a deterrent to others.
“Meanwhile, we want to urge the NOA and NELFUND to disclose the identity of individuals or higher institutions dipping their hands into loans meant for the students.
“Also, the identity of the banks conniving with these identified officials should also be exposed,” the NANS official stated.
