South-east lawmakers in Nigeria’s National Assembly have called on tertiary institutions in their region to promptly verify student data for the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
This urgent appeal comes as the region’s students are noticeably absent from the list of loan beneficiaries.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Hon. Igariwey Enwo, leaders of the South-east caucus, issued a statement in Abuja on Sunday highlighting the issue.
They noted that out of the N2.9 billion already disbursed to 27,667 students from 19 institutions nationwide, South-east higher institutions were “conspicuously missing from the list.”
The caucus revealed that NELFUND attributed this absence to the region’s institutions failing to respond to verification requests.
“NELFUND, in its defence, had stated that absence of beneficiaries of South-east institutions was because the institutions were yet to respond to NELFUND’s request for verification of lists sent to the institutions,” the statement explained.
Urging immediate action, the lawmakers encouraged eligible students in the region to apply for the loan.
ALSO READ: Bill To Create Another South-East State Passes Second Reading
They emphasized the importance of participation, stating, “It is important that as a people, we do not intentionally marginalise ourselves from opportunities which are open to all Nigerians.”
The caucus further stressed the significance of the loan program, noting it could “help ameliorate some of the challenges limiting access to higher education, self-development and growth.”
Addressing their constituents directly, the lawmakers asserted, “Those opportunities are our right and we must, like others, demand for what rightfully belongs to us.”
