Tension is rising on campuses across the North Central as the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has called out tertiary institutions and NELFUND over what it described as “unjust withholding” of students’ money.
The student body says thousands of students who paid tuition with their own funds before NELFUND loans were approved are still waiting for refunds months later.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Friday, NANS Zone C Zonal Coordinator, Abiola Azeez Babatunde, said the delay has left many students stranded and frustrated.
According to him, the money belongs to the students and should not be held hostage by bureaucracy.
“We are challenging NELFUND and the management of tertiary institutions to release these refunds immediately,” Babatunde declared. “Students paid from their pockets in good faith. Now that loans have come in, return what is theirs without further delay.”
He noted that while NANS appreciates the loan scheme, its impact is being watered down by slow processing and poor coordination between NELFUND and school bursaries.
Babatunde also used the moment to applaud the Kwara State Government under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for its investments in education, youth empowerment, scholarships and student welfare. However, he urged the government to do more by upgrading infrastructure, strengthening bursaries, and improving student accommodation.
SUG Polls, Security and IBBUL Strike Top NANS Demands
Beyond money matters, NANS dropped a bombshell: a two-week ultimatum to all tertiary institutions in the North Central yet to conduct Students’ Union Government elections.
“Commence and conclude the process within 14 days,” Babatunde warned, adding that student representation cannot be toyed with.
The association also demanded an end to exploitative charges, better campus security, and urgent government intervention in the ongoing strike at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai.
NANS further called on the North Central Development Commission to partner with students on entrepreneurship, skills, research and peacebuilding.
Babatunde reaffirmed that students remain critical stakeholders and that NANS will choose “constructive engagement” over chaos — but only if their demands are met.
