South East Universities Begin Student Loan Applications Amid Controversy

Universities in the South East have commenced student loan applications under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) following earlier exclusion concerns. This move comes after Abia State University (ABSU) urged eligible students to apply, addressing frustrations over the region’s omission from the initial disbursement round.

ABSU’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Onyemachi M. Ogbulu, directed students to begin their applications immediately. A statement by the University’s Public Relations Officer, Chijioke Nwogu, emphasized that ABSU had been added to the list of institutions eligible for the federal government’s student loan scheme. The loan, initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, aims to support Nigerian students with tuition and living expenses during their academic pursuits.

Interested students were advised to visit the official Student Loan portal to begin the application process and contact university officials for assistance with any issues encountered.

Dr. Acho Elendu, ABSU’s Registrar, mentioned that the university had formed a team to intensify awareness about the loan, noting that over 200 students had already applied. He highlighted ongoing efforts to inform students about the loan’s benefits, which have led to increased applications.

Similarly, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) has begun sensitizing its students about the loan. MOUAU Registrar, Dr. Nkiruka Mbanaso, acknowledged that while the information arrived late, the university had started mobilizing students through departmental circulars.

Meanwhile, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) confirmed its enrollment in the scheme but has yet to receive benefits.

However, the Concerned Igbo Stakeholders Forum (CISF) criticized the federal government for excluding South East institutions in the first round of loan disbursements. CISF leader Ephraim Okenwa condemned the omission, questioning the fairness of the process, especially since students from other regions were included.

Okenwa rejected claims by NELFUND spokesperson Nasir Ayitogo that geopolitical considerations were not involved, arguing that the exclusion of South East institutions could not be coincidental. He urged President Tinubu to revise the beneficiary list to include more institutions from the South East, stressing that Igbos must be treated as equal stakeholders in Nigeria.