NANS blocks Lagos-Ibadan expressway, protests alleged NELFUND mismanagement

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Monday staged a disruptive protest, blocking the Redemption Camp section of the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway for over an hour. The students’ action was in response to alleged mismanagement of N100 billion allocated to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). 

Demanding a presidential probe into significant financial discrepancies, NANS cited the ongoing investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), which reportedly revealed that only N28.8 billion of the allocated funds reached students, leaving a staggering N71.2 billion unaccounted for. 

“The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) blocked the RCCG Camp section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday, halting traffic for over an hour to protest the alleged mismanagement of N100 billion allocated to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).” 

NANS Ogun Chairman Gabriel Abiola Francis, alongside the association’s Vice President, Felicia Akinbodunse, vehemently condemned the “gross misconduct” observed in the loan disbursements. They also highlighted allegations that 51 tertiary institutions made unauthorized deductions ranging from N3,500 to N30,000 from students’ fees.

Speaking to the press during the protest, Francis stated, “If out of the N100 billion released… N71.2 billion cannot be accounted for, that is a huge and stark graft.” He referenced the ICPC’s probe, which was initiated following a petition from NELFUND and the National Orientation Agency.

The ICPC investigation reportedly indicated that NELFUND received a total of N203.8 billion by March 2024, but only N44.2 billion was disbursed to 299 tertiary institutions, benefiting a total of 293,178 students.

Gridlock on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway caused by NANS protest on Monday. 

NANS has called upon President Bola Tinubu to launch a thorough investigation into the activities of NELFUND and to ensure that any individuals or institutions found culpable are appropriately sanctioned.

The student body urged the President to take decisive action, stating, “The president should not hesitate to wield the big stick.”

Furthermore, NANS demanded that the ICPC publicly release the names of the 51 implicated tertiary institutions, vowing to declare these institutions “persona non grata” if their involvement in unauthorized deductions is confirmed.

The protest on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway was a direct attempt to prompt swift and decisive action from the relevant authorities, with NANS pledging to continue mobilizing students until justice is served and the alleged mismanagement of NELFUND is properly addressed.