Nigerian Students Decry Non-payment Of 15 Months Industrial Work Scheme Allowances

National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has decried the non-payment of 15-month-old Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) allowances owed to Nigerian students across tertiary institutions nationwide.

NANS’ assistant secretary General, Comrade Adejuwon Olatunji Emmanuel, in a statement on Tuesday, expressed outrage over the persistent and unjustifiable failure of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) to resolve the issue

According to NANS, for several years, thousands of students who dutifully participated in the SIWES programme have been denied their statutory entitlements.

It said that despite repeated complaints, petitions, and engagements by students’ bodies and stakeholders, the situation had remained unresolved.

“This failure has subjected students to severe financial hardship and has undermined the credibility of a programme established to promote skills acquisition, employability, and national workforce development.

“We note with grave concern that under the leadership of the Director-General of the ITF, Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, there has been no credible explanation to Nigerian students regarding the status of these outstanding payments.

“The continued silence, poor communication, and lack of accountability surrounding SIWES disbursements constitute a clear administrative failure and a breach of public trust.

“Public funds earmarked for students’ welfare must be accounted for transparently, and any ambiguity surrounding their utilisation demands urgent scrutiny.

“In view of the magnitude of this failure and the loss of confidence in the current leadership of the ITF, we hereby demand the immediate removal of the Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund, Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun.

The students issued a 14-day ultimatum to the federal government to take decisive action on the matter.