By Abubakar Yunusa
The Coalition of Northern Groups Students Wing (CNG-SW), has expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), disbursement process, citing regional disparities and delays that adversely impact students in Northern Nigeria.
The coalition urged the federal government to discontinue the reform process and allow for a holistic consultation to address its potential to undermine institutions like the TETFund and overburden students with loans.
In a statement by the group’s National Coordinator, Hassan Adamu, called on the federal government to immediately address these issues and revisit the proposed Tax Reform Bill to ensure the protection of educational institutions and students nationwide.
The group also called on legislators and citizens to study the bill critically and advocate for justice in the education sector.
He said: “We call on the federal government for the interest of Nigerian Students to discontinue the reform process and give room for a holistic consultation and amendment before legislation.
“We call on all patriotic legislators and all well meaning Nigerians to study the Bill with a keen interest and ensure justice to our educational institutions and Nigerian students.
“The NELFUND disbursement in Northern Institutions and Shortcomings
The coalition of Northern groups students wing (CNG-SW) as vanguard of the Federal Government Students Loan Scheme, haven participated actively in sensitizing the students.
“Parents and the general public about the Student Loan Scheme (Bill and Act) as well as sensitization and mobilization of students to apply for the loan; have critically studied and analysed the released of disbursement statistics by National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) across tertiary institutions in the Northern region.
“From the disbursement statistics over eighty-two thousand nine hundred and fifty-one (82,951) students across Forty-Five (45) institutions benefited from the region. It is imperative to clarify that out of the Two-Hundred and thirty-four (234) Federal and State tertiary institutions cleared by NELFUND for the first Phase only Ninety-six (96) were from the north; with Fifty-one (51) tertiary institutions yet to receive disbursement.”
The coalition emphasized that the federal government must take immediate action to rectify these issues to ensure equitable access to education for all students. Failure to do so, they warned, risks deepening educational disparities and further eroding the nation’s academic system.
He added, “While some institutions have refunded tuition fees paid by beneficiaries before disbursement to them, some are refunding certain percentage others are yet to commence the refund. Some beneficiaries have variation on the amount of loans disbursed to them and the amount payable as school fees leaving. The delay in disbursement and tuition fees payment pressure by Tertiary institution on beneficiaries. “
