As the registration for student loan progresses, students across the country are taking advantage of the opportunity to register and eventually secure funding for their educational pursuits.
However, a significant concern has emerged regarding the inclusion of students from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and those that got admission through in Universities through Direct Entry (DE) in the student loan programme.
Despite occupying a large percentage of Nigerian students, NOUN students find themselves at a disadvantage due to procedural barriers, particularly the requirement for Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registration numbers.
The issue has sparked widespread lamentation among NOUN students and DE who argued that the inability to register on the student loan portal effectively bars them from accessing much-needed financial support which is meant for all Nigerian students.
Unlike traditional universities, NOUN operates a unique open and distance learning model that does not mandate JAMB registration for admission.
Although NOUN is listed as the 29th school among the 126 federal higher institutions to benefit from the loan on NELFUND website, the distinction has inadvertently excluded its students from participating in national student loan schemes that require JAMB numbers as a precondition for application.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has also testified that the inability of NOUN to register on its website is due to their inability to possess JAMB number, one of the major requirements before accessing the facility.
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Fund, Akintunde Sawyerr said the agency has very strict criteria and guidelines and would not bend the rules for any institution or individual, no matter how highly placed.
“We have strict criteria and guidelines around how people can access this loan opportunity. All of them are non- negotiable. JAMB (number) is non- negotiable using this application process.
“Unfortunately, if an applicant hasn’t got a JAMB number, and hasn’t gone through the JAMB application process it is going to be impossible to grant that individual a loan at this stage.
“So, I urge those who can, to go and regularise their status with JAMB so that it makes it easy for them to access this opportunity. This is an equal opportunities programme. It doesn’t seek to discriminate against anybody. But it does seek to protect
taxpayers’ money and protect the Fund from frivolously handing out money without being able to account for it.
As the affected students awaits a resolution, they urged the Federal Government to revisit its loan policies to give DE and NOUN students access to the website.
The students voiced their frustration over the exclusion, saying the government should work with JAMB to pace way for them to benefit from the loans.
A NOUN student studying Mass Communication, who identified himself as Collins shared his plight: “I chose NOUN because I needed the flexibility to work and study. But without financial aid, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to continue as the school fees keep on increasing. I fear I might have to drop out if things don’t change.”
Collaborating, Benjamin, a DE student in Benue, expressed his disappointment: “It’s unfair that we are left out. We are also students with dreams and aspirations. The government needs to recognise our efforts and support us.”
LEADERSHIP reports that so far, more than 60,000 students have registered for the facility, out of which more than 30,000 successfully applied.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund is an initiative aimed at providing financial support to students pursuing higher education in Nigeria. Here are some key aspects of the Nigerian education loan system.
The primary goal is to make higher education more accessible to students from diverse financial backgrounds, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder academic pursuits.
Typically, the loans are available to Nigerian students enrolled in recognized tertiary institutions, including universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. Specific eligibility criteria may include academic performance, financial need, and other factors set by the lending institution.
