NANS threatens to disrupt NELFUND board meeting over exclusion of students’ representatives

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has threatened to disrupt an upcoming board meeting of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) over the exclusion of student representatives.

In a letter addressed to Akintunde Sawyerr, managing director (MD) of NELFUND, Lucky Emonefe, NANS president, said the students are “discontent” about being exempted from the board’s meetings.

He said the association would not stand by watching while critical decisions affecting students’ future are made in their absence.

“As the primary stakeholders and direct beneficiaries of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, it is completely unacceptable that students are sidelined from deliberations that shape the administration and disbursement of student loans,” the letter reads.

“This fund was created for Nigerian students, and we will have a voice in how it is managed.

“We are demanding, not requesting, the immediate inclusion of a student representative in this board meeting.”

The NANS president said failure to accommodate the “legitimate and reasonable demand” would “result in the total shutdown of the meeting venue by Nigerian students”.

“NANS will mobilise en masse to ensure that no meeting holds unless our representation is secured,” he added.

“This is not an appeal; it is a final warning. Nigerian students have exercised patience for too long. We refuse to be spectators in matters that directly affect our education, future, and welfare.

“No student, no meeting. We expect a prompt response addressing this demand without delay.”

The board of the fund is made up of Jim Ovia, chairman; Sawyerr, managing director; Femi Akinfala, executive director for finance and admin; Mustapha Iyal, executive director of operations; and Oluwafunmilayo Alagbada, board secretary and general counsel.