The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has raised concerns over the persistent delay in the payment of students' upkeep allowances under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), warning that it may mobilize students across the country for nationwide protests if the issue is not urgently addressed.
The student body expressed frustration over what it described as the prolonged hardship faced by beneficiaries who depend on the monthly stipends to meet basic academic and living expenses. According to NANS, many students have been left stranded due to delays in receiving the allowances despite being successfully verified and approved under the NELFUND scheme.
In a statement issued by its leadership, NANS called on the management of NELFUND and relevant government agencies to provide a clear explanation for the delay and immediately commence the disbursement of outstanding payments.
The association noted that the upkeep allowance component of the student loan programme was introduced to ease the financial burden on students, particularly those from low-income families. However, the continued delay, it said, is undermining the objective of the initiative and placing many beneficiaries under severe financial pressure.
NANS further warned that failure to address the situation promptly could trigger nationwide demonstrations by students across tertiary institutions. The association emphasized that while it remains committed to dialogue and engagement with authorities, it would not hesitate to take lawful actions to protect the welfare and interests of Nigerian students.
The student body urged the Federal Government to ensure transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the administration of the NELFUND programme, stressing that timely payment of allowances is essential to sustaining students' confidence in the scheme.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund was established to provide financial assistance to eligible students in higher institutions through tuition support and upkeep allowances, as part of broader efforts to improve access to tertiary education in Nigeria.
Twisdic Insight: The growing frustration among Nigerian students over delayed NELFUND upkeep allowances highlights the critical role financial support plays in sustaining access to higher education. While the student loan scheme was introduced to reduce the burden of educational expenses, delays in disbursement risk undermining confidence in the programme and creating additional hardship for beneficiaries
As concerns continue to grow among beneficiaries, students nationwide are awaiting an official response from NELFUND regarding the status of the delayed payments and the timeline for disbursement.
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