The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has urged student leaders across various tertiary institutions to take full ownership of the new interest-free education loan scheme.

This call was made by the Executive Director of Operations at NELFUND, Iyal Mustapha, during a Stakeholders’ Engagement Session and Technical Workshop on NELFUND System Automation and Loan Application Processes in Abuja.

The fourth day of the stakeholders’ engagement was dedicated to a session with Student Union Presidents of tertiary institutions.

Mustapha cautioned institutions against delays in verifying students’ applications.

He explained that once applications are verified, they are forwarded to the respective institutions for confirmation, a step that has sometimes delayed disbursement due to slow institutional responses.

“We need your schools to respond promptly. If they don’t confirm your status, we cannot release the funds. You must play a role in ensuring your institutions fulfill their responsibilities.

“This is your opportunity. We are the youth, and we are here to support you. This loan is about removing financial barriers so you can focus on your education.

“There is no interest, no guarantor, and no harassment, only a commitment to learning,” he stated.

Mustapha explained that the NELFUND scheme was developed to address dropout rates linked to financial hardship.

According to him, it provides Nigerian students with access to loans that cover institutional charges and include a monthly upkeep allowance.

He emphasised that any student enrolled in a recognised tertiary institution in Nigeria is eligible, regardless of background or geographical location.

“There is no reason for anyone to drop out of school,” he added.

Addressing concerns about loan repayment, Mustapha assured students that repayment would only commence two years after completing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and only if the graduate is employed.

“In the event of death or a medically verified permanent disability, the loan would be written off.

“No one is pursuing you. This is your loan, your government, and your repayment supports the next generation,” he said.

He also advised students who had received upkeep allowances without corresponding institutional fee payments to approach their institutions, noting that upkeep funds cannot be disbursed unless institutional charges are settled.

“One of the issues we have identified is that some institutions are failing to notify students when payments have been made.

“Anyone who has received upkeep should understand that their institutional charges have already been paid to their institution,” he clarified.

The President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Olushola Oladoja, warned institutions and individuals allegedly undermining the federal government’s student loan scheme.

Speaking on the allegations of sabotage by some institutions, Oladoja revealed that the association had set up a five-member investigative committee to examine growing concerns about loan disbursement and accountability.

According to him, NANS took swift action following intelligence from the National Orientation Agency (NOA), which reported irregularities in how some institutions handled student loan payments.

“We received information indicating that there are issues within NELFUND, including cases where the Fund claims to have paid institutions, but the schools failed to notify the students.

“This cannot be allowed to persist. Our committee will engage directly with NELFUND, visit the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to verify findings, and get to the root of the matter,” he stated.

Also speaking, Umar Lawal, a final-year student of Bayero University, Kano, commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for delivering on its promise of a student loan scheme aimed at transforming tertiary education in Nigeria.

While expressing appreciation for the initiative, Lawal also raised concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability in some tertiary institutions, saying it must be addressed. (NAN)

 Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasised on Thursday that the United Nations must continue to play a vital role in global affairs, especially as the organisation marks its 80th anniversary.

“Russia and China share the opinion that the UN and its Security Council should continue to play a central role in world affairs,” Putin told reporters following Russian-Chinese talks held at the Kremlin.

Putin noted that both Russia and China pursued independent and autonomous foreign policies and were committed to promoting a fair, multipolar world order.

He also highlighted the countries’ active cooperation within multilateral platforms such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Additionally, the Russian president stated that Moscow and Beijing would continue efforts to align integration initiatives between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and China’s Belt and Road Initiative. (RIA/NAN)

President Bola Tinubu arrived in Anambra State on Thursday for a one-day working visit to inaugurate key development projects executed by the state government.

The President touched down at 12:15p.m. at the Presidential Wing of the Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri.

His arrival was met with a warm reception, including a traditional dance performance by a cultural troupe.

Welcoming the President were several dignitaries, including Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, his Deputy, Onyekachukwu Ibezim; members of the House of Assembly; top dignitaries from the state, among others.

Tinubu received some gun salutes from personnel of the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force.

President Tinubu would inaugurate the Solution FunCity, Anambra Country Club, New Government House, New Government Lodge, New Presidential Lodge and Emeka Anyaoku Center Unizik, Awka.

He will also inaugurate the Iconic Light of the Nation Tower located at the new state Government House, symbolising the state’s slogan.

The tower was constructed by Dutum Construction Ltd, led by its Managing Director Mr Temitope Runsewe.(NAN)