By Felix Khanoba
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a firm demand for student representation in the upcoming board meeting of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), warning that failure to comply could lead to mass disruption.
In a letter dated February 13, 2025, and addressed to NELFUND’s Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr, NANS President, Comrade Lucky Emonefe, stressed that students must have a voice in discussions regarding the management of the loan fund.
The letter, titled “Final Demand for Student Representation in the Scheduled NELFUND Board Meeting – No Student, No Meeting!”, which was obtained by The AUTHORITY, outlined the student body’s grievances and its resolve to take action if excluded.
“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 letter stated.
NANS emphasized that as the apex student body representing over 50 million students nationwide, it would not stand by while critical decisions about student loans are made without their input.
“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,” the letter added.
The student body made it clear that its demand is non-negotiable.
“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 holds unless our representation is secured.
“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.”
As of press time, there had been no official response from NELFUND regarding the student body’s ultimatum.
