The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed concern over the alleged delay in the disbursement of students’ upkeep allowances under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), warning that it may mobilise students for peaceful mass action if the issue is not urgently addressed.
The student body, led by its President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, said it had received numerous complaints from beneficiaries across the country over the non-payment of upkeep allowances, which it claimed had been delayed for the past two months.
In a statement issued on Friday, NANS described the situation as unacceptable, noting that the delay was causing hardship for students who rely on the allowances to meet their daily needs amid the country’s prevailing economic challenges.
According to the association, the primary objective of the NELFUND scheme is to provide financial relief to students, adding that any prolonged delay in the release of the allowances defeats the purpose of the initiative.
NANS called on the Managing Director of NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, to urgently intervene by addressing all administrative bottlenecks delaying the payments.
The association also urged the relevant authorities to provide a clear explanation to affected students and ensure the immediate disbursement of all outstanding upkeep allowances.
It warned that failure to resolve the issue within the shortest possible time would leave Nigerian students with no option but to embark on peaceful mass action, including the occupation of the NELFUND headquarters, until concrete steps are taken to address their demands.
NANS, however, stressed that the planned action should not be interpreted as a threat but as a legitimate response to the growing frustration among thousands of students whose welfare has been adversely affected by the delayed payments.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the interests of Nigerian students and advocating policies that promote their welfare and academic success.
