The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for student representation in the scheduled Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) board meetings.
The students expressed the demand in a letter addressed to the Managing Director of NELFUND and its board chairman, Mr. Jim Ovia.
The letter, titled “Final Demand for Students’ Representation in the Scheduled NELFUND Board Meeting, No Student, No Meeting,” was signed by NANS President, Comrade Lucky Emonefe.
Emonefe emphasised NANS’ expectation of a prompt response to the demand.
He said, “We are writing to express our deep concern and outright discontent over the exclusion of students from the scheduled board meeting of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
“The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), as the apex student body representing over 50 million students across the country, will not stand idly by while critical decisions affecting our future are made in our 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. 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. Failure to accommodate this legitimate and reasonable demand will result in the total shutdown of the meeting venue by Nigerian students. NANS will mobilize en masse to ensure that no meeting is held unless our representation is secured.”
According to him, the Nigerian students have exercised patience for too long, saying it refused to be spectators in matters that directly affect education, future, and welfare of students.
