Students of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), on Friday commended President Bola Tinubu for introducing and implementing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

The students, who spoke during a Democracy Day gathering on campus in Makurdi, said the programme has significantly eased the burden of tuition fees and living expenses, particularly for students from poor and crisis-affected communities.

The students described the initiative as a transformative intervention that had enabled thousands of students to remain in school despite prevailing economic challenges.

Celestine Tornyor, president of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), described Mr Tinubu as a leader whose policies have positively impacted students.

Mr Tornyor said that more than 30,000 students in JOSTUM were beneficiaries of the loan scheme and credited the president for creating opportunities for students who would otherwise have abandoned their education.

According to him, the NELFUND initiative has helped restore hope and confidence among students by guaranteeing access to higher education irrespective of their financial background.

He also applauded the minister of education, the management of NELFUND and leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) for ensuring that students across the country.

Also speaking, the secretary-general of the SUG, Solomon Terngu, said the programme had particularly benefited students whose parents were predominantly farmers struggling with economic hardship.

Mr Terngu explained that the upkeep allowance provided through NELFUND had enabled students to remain on campus and focus on their academic pursuits.

While commending the federal government for the initiative, the student leaders appealed for an upward review of the monthly upkeep allowance from N20,000 to N50,000 to reflect current economic realities and the rising cost of living.

Dominic Iorsheregh, president of the National Union of Benue State Students (NUMBESS), JOSTUM chapter, said the institution had recorded remarkable benefits from the scheme.

He said more than 30,000 students out of a population of over 40,000 were currently benefiting from the loan programme.

According to him, many students who had contemplated dropping out of school due to financial difficulties have been able to continue their education because of the intervention.

“The programme has been of immense benefit not only to students but also to parents and guardians.

“Many of our students come from communities affected by insecurity and economic hardship.

“Without NELFUND, many of them would not have been able to continue their studies,” he said.

Mr Iorsheregh commended Mr Tinubu for demonstrating commitment to the future of Nigerian students and urged him to sustain and strengthen the programme.

The students also called for greater transparency in the disbursement of tuition payments, noting that when institutions receive funds above the actual tuition fees, the excess should be refunded to beneficiaries, since students would eventually repay the loan.

Responding to the concerns, a NELFUND official, Aliyu Abba, assured students that upkeep payments would continue to be released as scheduled, explaining that occasional delays were due to circumstances beyond the agency’s control.

He further clarified that institutions are expected to refund students where tuition payments received from NELFUND exceed the actual fees charged by the schools.

He also advised affected beneficiaries to channel their complaints through their union leaders, school authorities and NELFUND headquarters.

The students said the Democracy Day celebration provided an opportunity to appreciate Mr Tinubu for what they described as one of the most impactful educational support programmes introduced in recent years. 

(NAN)