In a bold and confrontational move, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a stern warning, threatening to disrupt the upcoming board meeting of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). The student body, through its official X handle, expressed outrage over its exclusion from the decision-making body, describing it as a deliberate attempt to sideline students from a scheme meant to serve their interests.
NANS argued that as the primary beneficiaries of the student loan initiative, their representation on the board is non-negotiable. They warned that failure to address their grievances would result in nationwide protests and potential disruption of NELFUND’s operations.
“This is an outright disregard for the voices of Nigerian students,” NANS stated. “We refuse to stand by while bureaucrats decide our future without our input. If we are not given a seat at the table, we will make sure no meeting holds.”
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund was established to provide interest-free loans to indigent students in tertiary institutions, a move hailed as a game-changer for access to higher education. However, NANS insists that without student representation, the fund risks being mismanaged or failing to address the actual needs of students.
With tensions rising, all eyes are now on the federal government and NELFUND’s leadership to see if they will bow to pressure or risk a confrontation with the country’s largest student body. Will the authorities act swiftly to avert a crisis, or will NANS follow through on its threat to shut down the board meeting? The coming days will reveal how this brewing standoff unfolds.
PIONEER NEWS 