The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has demanded the removal of Vice Chancellors, Rectors, and Provosts of tertiary institutions found guilty of mismanaging the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) scheme.
Speaking during a media parley in Abuja over the weekend, the newly elected NANS President, Comrade Olushola Ladoja, stated that any institution head involved in dubious dealings, such as withholding students’ loans or conspiring with banks for personal gain, would face nationwide student-led resistance.
“I’m telling you categorically, as NANS President, that any Vice Chancellor, Rector or Provost, found withholding students’ loans or having any dubious dealings in this students’ loan administration, we will agitate for their going.
“They must be removed from office, because while Federal Government is trying to do things that will help Nigerians, some people are there sabotaging it. And NANS will not accept that. We will fight whosoever is found wanting of such character,” he said.
Ladoja revealed that NANS had met with Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and the Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr to address concerns over alleged fraudulent practices.
He added that both officials assured them that necessary action would be taken to address the irregularities.
He disclosed that a meeting has been scheduled for Thursday in Abuja, where all Student Union Government (SUG) Presidents from Nigerian tertiary institutions will converge with NANS executives and NELFUND officials to discuss the issues and chart a way forward.
NANS praised the student loan initiative for increasing access to education but warned that mismanagement could compromise the scheme’s credibility.
The association pledged to monitor the situation and ensure transparency and accountability.
