Student Loan: Southeast Universities Deny Apathy Amid Lawmakers’ Concerns

Amid growing concerns from lawmakers, Southeast universities refute claims of apathy towards the federal student loan scheme, affirming their commitment to supporting eligible students.

On Sunday, the South-East caucus of the National Assembly conveyed their worries about purportedly leaving out students from higher institutions in South-East Nigeria from accessing student loans by the Federal Government.

According to representatives of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology in Enugu, as well as Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University in Igbariam, Anambra State; their students have submitted applications for a student loan and are presently awaiting disbursement from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.

On Friday, NELFUND clarified that it was not showing bias against students from higher institutions in the South-East.

According to the fund, no tertiary institution in South-East has fulfilled all verification requirements necessary for their students to receive benefits from the program.

During a conversation with one of our reporters on Sunday, Dr. Harrison Madubueze – Public Relations Officer for Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University in Igbariam, Anambra State – confirmed that the university officially joined the NELFUND portal on August 10th and was then chosen as a shortlisted candidate on August 14th.

On August 10, the COOU registered officially on NELFUND portal and was afterwards shortlisted by the FG four days later.

Madubueze added that our focus presently is on creating awareness about the necessity of student enrollment.

The PUNCH was informed by Dr Ikechukwu Ezeanioma, ESUT’s PRO that the school had performed the required verification.

According to Ezeanioma, the verification had been completed three weeks ago but due to certain technical difficulties, it was not uploaded until last Friday night.

He announced that the verification had been uploaded following confirmation. The ICT Director verified and authorized its upload on Friday night after it was concluded three weeks ago; however, there were technical glitches during the initial process which were eventually resolved two days prior to his announcement.

Emmanuel Ojukwu, the PRO of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State, expressed ignorance regarding the students’ application for a loan from the Federal Government.

He made a commitment to examine and provide our correspondent with comprehensive information today (Monday).

Our correspondent was informed via telephone by Hilary Chinedu, the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Student Union Government in question, that it remains uncertain whether any students at said institution have obtained the NELFUND application form.

I need further details and information before I can confirm whether any school students have received the NELFUND form or started filling it out.

However, whether or not students in the region have also been included will determine if it is an opportunity that they would want to seize for their own advantages.

At the moment, we are aware that students from different geo-political zones have already started reaping benefits from this exercise with funds disbursed accordingly. However, it is our sincere appeal to those in authority to uphold equity and fairness for every student involved. I will provide more information when available.

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Despite attempts to communicate with the University of Nigeria Nsukka, our requests went unanswered as Chief Okwun Omeaku, the Registrar and Director for Public Relations did not respond to any calls.

On Sunday, lawmakers from the South-Eastern region in the National Assembly expressed concern over the fact that none of their students had received any of the N2.95bn loans distributed by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund thus far.

The scheme has benefited 27,667 students from 19 institutions all over the country but not a single student from the South-East.

On Friday, NELFUND refuted claims of favoritism towards students attending institutions in the South-East and clarified that it would wait until the verification process was completed by said institutions.

The agency pointed out that it had sent verification requests to all schools, but the ones located in the South-East region were still pending completion. Consequently, funds could not be disbursed to scholars in this area.

On Sunday, the South-East Caucus in the National Assembly voiced their discontent with the situation through a statement.

The Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Rt. Hon. Igariwey Enwo-signed statement appealed to the tertiary institutions in the region to fulfill their verification requirements without delay.

Our goal is to urge all students from the South-East who require this support to apply and take advantage of it.

It is crucial to note that addressing certain obstacles that obstruct access to higher education can be beneficial. Undoubtedly, pursuing higher education plays a pivotal role in one’s self-improvement and progress.

As a community, it is crucial that we do not deliberately isolate ourselves from opportunities accessible to all citizens of Nigeria.

The lawmakers insisted that we hold the right to claim those opportunities, and it is imperative that we demand what rightfully belongs to us just like anyone else.

The caucus emphasized the importance of engaging in national programs as a means for one’s own development and progress.

The legislators emphasized the importance of South-Eastern participation in federal programs to prevent unintentional exclusion from opportunities that are provided to other areas.

The National Assembly members restated their dedication to guaranteeing that the South-East region doesn’t forgo any chances of growth and progress.