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We Feel Betrayed, Students Lament Incomplete Loan Payments

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Despite repeated assurances from the Federal Government that student loans would be disbursed in full and with transparency, university students across the country are raising the alarm over what they described as incomplete and inconsistent payments.

Many recipients reported receiving between ₦40,000 and ₦54,000, well below the promised ₦60,000 on the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) portal, according to evidence obtained by LEADERSHIP.

Our correspondent gathered that, making matters worse, some institutions are now imposing late payment penalties on tuition fees, even though the loan disbursement delays were beyond the students’ control.

This has led to mounting tension on campuses, with students in several universities already mobilising for protests to demand accountability and transparency in the loan disbursement process.

The Federal Government had initially announced that students would receive monthly stipends of ₦20,000 directly into their personal accounts, while tuition fees would be paid directly to the universities.

However, after a wave of student protests, institutions like Joseph Sarwuan Tarkaa University (JOSTUM), Makurdi, hoarding the loan began disbursing the loan funds directly to students’ accounts, instead of paying their school feels directly as of yesterday.

Some students who spoke to our correspondent reported discrepancies in the amounts received. While the official loan package was expected to range from ₦60,000 and above, based on their official school fees rate, numerous students have confirmed receiving between ₦40,000 and ₦54,000, but are due to pay back the official amount on their portal.

At JOSTUM, our correspondent gathered that students were already planning a protest next Monday, titled “Against Embezzlement of NELFUND and Government Allocation for Student Fees.”

Speaking anonymously to LEADERSHIP, the student activists said, “We, the students of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi, are writing to express our outrage and disappointment over the alleged embezzlement of NELFUND and government allocation meant for settling our school fees and refunding students who have already paid.

“This act of financial malfeasance has caused significant hardship and financial strain on many students. We demand immediate investigation into the alleged embezzlement.

“Transparency in the management and disbursement of NELFUND and government allocation and settlement of outstanding fees for all affected students.

“Refund of fees already paid by students who are eligible for the benefits. We urge the university administration to take swift and decisive action to address this issue. If our demands are not met, we will proceed with the planned protest.”

Another student lamented, “I paid my fee in full and school is refunding me ₦1,850. I really don’t understand right now.”

A student from the Department of Microbiology at JOSTUM lamented that the deductions were not what the government promised them, saying that the students feel betrayed.

“After adding late registration charges to our school fees which were supposed to be ₦52,000, now ₦55,000, they sent ₦54,000 to us.”

Amid these concerns, NELFUND has called on student leaders across various tertiary institutions to take full ownership of the interest-free education loan scheme.

Managing Director/Chief Executive of NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, made this call at a Stakeholders Engagement Session & Technical Workshop Day 4, which attracted Students Union Presidents of tertiary institutions and officials of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Thursday in Abuja.

Sawyerr said, “To make this work, we need you. Your voice. Your leadership. Your engagement on campus. Help us raise awareness, refine our processes, and ensure that this scheme reaches every student it was designed to serve.”

He emphasised that NELFUND is fully committed to removing financial barriers and creating opportunities for all Nigerian students to thrive, in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

On his part, the Executive Director of Operations at NELFUND, Mr. Iyal Mustapha, warned institutions against delays in verifying students’ applications.

According to him, “We need your schools to respond quickly. If they don’t confirm your status, we can’t release the funds.
You must be involved in making sure your institutions do the right thing.

“This is your opportunity. We are the youth, and we are here to support you. This loan is about removing barriers so you can focus on your education.
There is no interest, no guarantor, and no harassment just commitment to learning.”

He explained that the loan scheme was designed to tackle dropout rates due to financial hardship, offering Nigerian students access to loans that cover institutional charges and provide monthly upkeep support.

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

Mustapha also addressed concerns about repayment, assuring students that repayment would only begin two years after completing National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and only if the graduate is employed. In cases of death or verified permanent disability, the loan would be forgiven.

“No one is chasing you. This is your loan. This is your government. And your repayment helps the next generation,” he said.

He also clarified, “Anyone that has gotten upkeep, it’s important to know that his/her institutional charges have already been paid to the institution.

“One of the things we realised is that some of the institutions are not notifying the students of payment.”

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

Oladoja said the association had set up a five-man investigative committee to probe growing concerns over the disbursement and accountability of the loan funds:

“We got information that there are issues in NELFUND cases where the fund claims to have paid institutions, but schools failed to notify the students.
This cannot be allowed to continue. Our committee will engage NELFUND directly, we will visit the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to verify their findings, and we will get to the bottom of this.”

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Plateau PDP Cautions Members Against Obtaining Nomination Forms From Pro-Wike Faction

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By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

As Nigerians await the verdict of the Supreme Court on the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Plateau State chapter of the party has caution it’s members against obtaining primary election nomination from the faction loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

In an advisory obtained by the Daily Asset Newspaper, the Plateau PDP declared that loyalists of the FCT Minister parading as leaders of the party have already been expelled and their expulsion validated by the High Court and Court of Appeal.

In the advisory issued by Dr Choji Felix Dalyop, State Publicity Secretary, the chapter maintained that any nomination forms issued or signed by Senator Anyanwu or under the authority of Abdulrahman Mohammed lack legal standing.

Part of the statement reads: “Our great party under the strategic leadership of Miskoom Raymond Dabo, hereby issues a formal advisory grounded in extant judicial pronouncements regarding the purported sale of nomination forms for the 2027, general elections led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, with Senator Samuel Anyanwu acting as National Secretary.

“Pursuant to binding judicial determinations, this advisory is issued, including:- The judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered on 9th March, 2026, and the judgment of the FCT High Court delivered on 12th January, 2026, both of which affirm the suspension and subsequent expulsion of Senator Samuel Anyanwu from the Peoples Democratic Party.

“From a legal standpoint, these rulings have two critical implications: Loss of Capacity: Senator Anyanwu, having been validly expelled, lacks the legal competence to act in any official capacity on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party.

“Derivative Invalidity: All actions predicated on his authority, including the recognition of Abdulrahman Mohammed as Acting National Chairman, and the constitution of a parallel National Working Committee, are legally defective.

“Consequently, the Abuja Convention of 29th March, 2026, convened under this disputed authority, is rendered void ab initio, as it derives from an invalid institutional foundation.

“Furthermore, the issuance of a Form 48 notice by the FCT High Court underscores ongoing judicial scrutiny, and reinforces the binding nature of earlier rulings, particularly regarding compliance by affected parties.

“The principle of law remains unequivocal: No valid structure can emerge from an invalid origin.

“Therefore, any nomination forms issued or signed by Senator Anyanwu or under the authority of Abdulrahman Mohammed lack legal standing.

“Implications for Aspirants: Non recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC);

“Exposure to pre election litigation leading to disqualification;

“Post election nullification risks analogous to established judicial precedents.

“The PDP Plateau State, chapter strongly advises all aspirants, and stakeholders to exercise due diligence, and avoid engagement with any processes that are unstable with the vision, and mission of the founding fathers of our great party, which to a great extent are fundamentally inconsistent with the law.”
End

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Soludo’s 16.4km Road Project Ends Years of Suffering, Opens Up Anambra Communities

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By Laide Akinboade Abuja

Vice President of Boardwalk Group and Abuja-based real estate developer Chief Obiageli Okwubanego, on Wednesday, commended the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, for completing the 16.4-kilometre Nawfija–Ajali–Ufuma–Ogbunka Road in Orumba South Local Government Area.

Sh gave the commendation while speaking with journalists in Abuja.

She said residents in that area testified that the project has transformed transportation, agriculture and economic activities across the axis.

Okwubanego described the road project as a major infrastructure breakthrough that has drastically reduced travel time and eased movement for motorists and residents within the affected communities.

She recalled that the appeal for the road was first made in 2019 when Soludo attended the funeral mass of her mother, Chief Mrs. Agnes Igwenagu Okeke.

According to her, the deplorable state of the road at the time made movement extremely difficult for mourners and guests attending the burial ceremony.
“When Professor Soludo later declared interest in contesting for governor, I went back to my people and urged them to support him with the assurance that the road would be done. I also appealed to him to extend the road project to Ogbunka, my mother’s hometown,” she said.

She noted that the newly completed road has reduced travel time by about two hours and now serves as an alternative route to the traffic-prone Umunze Roundabout.

Travellers heading towards Umuaku in Abia State, as well as Okigwe and Ndi-Iziogu areas of Imo State, now use the route to avoid traffic congestion.

“For Christmas, Easter, August meetings, marriages and other celebrations, people can now travel home with ease and in large numbers,” she stated.
Okwubanego described the project as part of Soludo’s broader infrastructure and economic transformation agenda across Anambra State.

According to her, the road has enhanced the movement of goods and services within the communities and improved economic activities in the area.
“Governor Soludo’s solution agenda has positively impacted our communities and brought remarkable transformation to the entire Orumba South Local Government Area,” she said.

She further noted that residents of Nawfija community had never experienced a tarred road before the intervention of the Soludo administration.

“Since I started visiting Nawfija community years ago, the residents had never enjoyed a tarred road. Soludo, through compassionate and selfless leadership, has now provided the people with their first properly constructed road,” she added.

Highlighting the economic importance of the project, Okwubanego said the road has significantly boosted agricultural activities in the area, especially palm oil production.

She explained that the adjoining communities are predominantly farming settlements responsible for a substantial share of palm oil production in Orumba South Local Government Area.

“The famous Onuoigbo palm plantation, which spans over 20 hectares, is located along this road corridor in Nawfija, and the improved road network will greatly support the movement of farm produce,” she explained.

On tourism potential, she said the road would also increase access to the popular Ozi Stream, known for fishing and irrigation activities, thereby attracting more visitors and commercial activities.

“With easier access to the famous Ozi Stream, human and business activities in the area will rise significantly,” she noted.
Okwubanego also reaffirmed her emotional attachment to Nawfija community, saying her passion for the people inspired her continuous commitment to their welfare and development.

“My dear Nawfija community means so much to me, which is why I personally pleaded with His Excellency to give us this road. My passion for the community will always push me to look out for their welfare,” she said.

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NEWS

Ekiti Church Attack: CAN Demands Action Over Killing, Abduction of Worshippers

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By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Wednesday, condemned
the attack on a church gathering in Eda Oniyo Ekiti, where gunmen reportedly killed a Pastor and abducted several worshippers during an open-air crusade.

This was stated in a statement issued by
President, CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in Abuja.

The Christian body demanded for immediate arrest and prosecution of the culprits and rescue of those kidnapped.

He described this latest attack as a brutal assault on shared humanity and the sanctity of life.

And it is deeply disturbing and unacceptable.

He mourned with the family of the slain Pastor and stand in full solidarity with the victims and the entire Christian community in Ekiti State

The statement reads, “We condemn this heinous act in the strongest possible terms.

People had gathered peacefully to worship God, and they were met with violence. This is not just an attack on a church; it is a brutal assault on our shared humanity and the sanctity of life.

“We mourn with the family of the slain Pastor and stand in full solidarity with the victims and the entire Christian community in Ekiti State. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been taken, and we call for their immediate and safe release.

“This latest tragedy comes amid a disturbing pattern of attacks. Only recently, gunmen struck communities in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, abducting residents including clergy, their families, and other community members. These repeated incidents underscore a deepening security crisis that can no longer be ignored.

“This attack further heightens concerns about the safety of lives and the protection of communities. No one should have to live in fear, and no place of worship must ever become a hunting ground for criminals.

“We must be unequivocal: the protection of lives and property is the primary responsibility of government. We call on the authorities and security agencies to act swiftly, decisively, and transparently. Those responsible for this atrocity must be apprehended and brought to justice without delay. Every necessary effort must be made to rescue those abducted unharmed.

“We also urge the government to immediately strengthen security presence, especially in vulnerable and rural communities, and to deploy proactive intelligence measures to prevent further attacks”.

He noted, “At the same time, we must all speak out firmly. The killing of a Pastor and the abduction of worshippers gathered to commune with their Creator is deeply troubling. It reflects a grave disregard for life, for faith, and for the moral fabric of our society.

“We have a duty to communicate these concerns clearly, firmly, and without equivocation to the appropriate authorities. Nigeria must not normalise the killing of worshippers or the abduction of innocent citizens in places of refuge.

“May God comfort the bereaved, protect those in captivity, and restore peace and security to our land”.

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