The South-East caucus of the National Assembly on Sunday voiced concerns about the seeming exclusion of students from higher education institutions in the South-East from the Federal Government’s student loan program.
According to The PUNCH, however, spokesmen from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu; and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State, clarified that their students had applied for the student loan and were currently awaiting disbursement from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund
This clarification followed NELFUND’s explanation on Friday, where the organization denied allegations of discrimination against South-East students.
NELFUND indicated that none of the tertiary institutions in the South-East had completed the necessary verification processes to enable their students to access the scheme.
Speaking on Sunday, the Public Relations Officer of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Dr. Harrison Madubueze, stated that the institution officially registered on the NELFUND portal on August 10, and was shortlisted on August 14.
“Well, the COOU officially registered on the NELFUND portal on August 10, and was subsequently shortlisted by the FG on August 14. Our efforts now are geared towards raising awareness on the need for students to enroll,” Madubueze said.
Similarly, Dr. Ikechukwu Ezeanioma, the Public Relations Officer for ESUT, confirmed to The PUNCH that their school had completed the necessary verification steps. He explained that although the verification was completed three weeks prior, technical challenges delayed the upload until the previous Friday night.
He stated, “Now we have uploaded after verification. The verification was uploaded on Friday night and the ICT Director confirmed that it had been uploaded. Though the verification was concluded about three weeks ago, there was a technical problem in the upload but eventually it was successful about two days ago.”
In contrast, when contacted, the Public Relations Officer of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Emmanuel Ojukwu, stated that he did not have details regarding the students’ applications for the Federal Government’s loan but promised to provide full details on Monday.
The Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Student Union Government at the institution, Hilary Chinedu, mentioned that it was unclear whether any students had received the NELFUND forms or started filling them out.
“I cannot confirm if any students of the school or if students have received the NELFUND form or if they have started filling it or not until I get more details and information concerning it. But it is an opportunity the students would want to grab for their benefits, but this depends on whether the students in the region have also been captured.
“We understand that students from other geo-political zones have started benefiting from the exercise and there has been disbursement, we will only appeal to the authorities concerned to ensure equity and fairness for all. This is all I can say for now till I get further details.”
Attempts to reach the University of Nigeria Nsukka were unsuccessful as the Registrar and Director of Public Relations, Chief Okwun Omeaku, did not respond to calls.
Meanwhile, the South-East lawmakers in the National Assembly expressed concern on Sunday that no students from the region had benefited from the N2.95 billion disbursed by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund so far.
The caucus pointed out that 27,667 students across 19 institutions nationwide had benefited from the scheme, but none from the South-East.
NELFUND had previously explained that while verification requests were sent to all schools, those in the South-East had yet to complete the necessary process, which has delayed the disbursement of funds to students from the region.
In a statement on Sunday, the South-East Caucus of the National Assembly voiced its displeasure at the situation.
The statement, signed by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Rt. Hon. Igariwey Enwo, urged the region’s tertiary institutions to promptly meet the verification requirements.
“We wish to encourage all South-East students who need this support to ensure they apply. This is important as it can help ameliorate some of the challenges limiting access to higher education, which we must all agree is critical to self-development and growth.
“It is important that as a people, we do not intentionally marginalize ourselves from opportunities that are open to all Nigerians. Those opportunities are our right and we must, like others, demand for what rightfully belongs to us,” the lawmakers said.
The caucus emphasized that participation in national programs is crucial for self-development and growth. They underscored the importance of the South-East actively engaging in and benefiting from federal initiatives to avoid missing out on opportunities available to other regions.
The members of the National Assembly reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that the South-East does not miss out on any opportunities for development and advancement.
