NANS DEMANDS STUDENT REPRESENTATION ON THE NELFUND BOARD 15-02-25
By Sadiq Aminu The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS has demanded the inclusion of a student representative on the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND forthcoming Board meeting.
It says failure to do so will result in a shut down of the meeting venue.
In a letter dated February 13, 2025 to the Managing Director of the Fund, Akintunde Sawyer and Chairman of the Board, Jim Ovia, the NANS President, Lucky Emonefe, explained that as the primary stakeholders and direct beneficiaries of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, it was completely unacceptable that students are sidelined from deliberations that shape the administration and disbursement of student loans.
Emonefe said the fund was created for Nigerian students, and they would have a voice in its management.
The letter reads: “We are writing to express our deep concern and outright discontent over the exclusion of students from the scheduled board meeting of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), as the apex student body representing over 50 million students across the country, will not stand idly by while critical decisions affecting our future are made in our absence.
“As the primary stakeholders and direct beneficiaries of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, it is completely unacceptable that students are sidelined from deliberations that shape the administration and disbursement of student loans. This fund was created for Nigerian students, and we will have a voice in how it is managed.
“We are demanding—not requesting—the immediate inclusion of a student representative in this board meeting.
“Failure to accommodate this legitimate and reasonable demand will result in the total shutdown of the meeting venue by Nigerian students. NANS will mobilize en masse to ensure that no meeting holds unless our representation is secured.
“This is not an appeal; it is a final warning. Nigerian students have exercised patience for too long. We refuse to be spectators in matters that directly affect our education, future, and welfare. No student, no meeting”.