• How NELFund, South East students brainstormed on scheme
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Shortly after the student loan scheme was launched a few months ago and the list of the first batch of beneficiaries was published, there was public outcry from some parts of Nigeria, particularly the South East.
The people claimed that the region was deliberately excluded from the scheme.
The development sparked outrage, creating the “wrong impression” of deliberate exclusion, thus strengthening the growing fear of marginalisation claims of the region.
Explanations came from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFund), the agency responsible for the scheme, and some other government agencies. But it was a case of the more explanations, the louder the claims of exclusion.
NELFund insisted that there was no orchestrated or deliberate plan to exclude a particular set of people from the scheme: “The scheme is for all Nigerian students interested in participating in the loan scheme.”
To cascade the messages down to the people, NELFund initiated a sensitization campaign to eligible institutions in the South East, to perhaps have free interactions with the students, school management and all stakeholders regarding the scheme.
Managing director, NELFund, Akintunde Sawyerr, led the sensitisation tour of institutions in Abia, Enugu, Imo, Ebonyi and Anambra states. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), led by Lucky Emonefe, was also on the tour, while the Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South East), Chioma Nweze, also mobilised support.
Sawyerr said: “The sensitisation engagement is very necessary. It provides opportunity to talk to students directly, answer their questions, and most importantly disabuse their minds about the scheme, which some of them believe is for a certain category of students.”
Anambra
Large numbers of students and teachers converged at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK), for the interactions.
The students freely asked questions and got answers about the scheme, the processes around it particularly the repayment process/plan.
Earlier at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Sawyerr explained: “This sensitisation programme is a crucial step in ensuring that every Nigerian student has access to the financial resources necessary to pursue their educational goals. Government’s commitment to education is unwavering, and we are ensuring that every Nigerian student has an equal opportunity to benefit from this scheme, regardless of their region or background.”
He also urged South East students to take full advantage of the scheme, “which provides both tuition fees and living expenses, thereby giving students the financial stability needed to excel in their studies.”
Imo
At the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Imo State, Sawyerr said: “We are here to assure you that every Nigerian student, especially in the South East, has a stake in this initiative. It was designed to uplift all students, empowering them to contribute to national development.
“The application process has been simplified for ease of access. This is about investing in your future, not just providing loans. It is an opportunity for you to focus on your studies without the distraction of financial concerns.
“Together, we can build a brighter future for our nation, one student at a time. NELFund is here to ensure that your academic journey is not hindered by financial limitations.”
Enugu
At the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Sawyerr said: “We are unimpressed with the level of participation of the students from this region in the lofty intervention. We decided to create this interactive engagement to expose you to the benefits of the scheme particularly in lifting financial burden from yourselves and your parents.”
He took them through the steps of application and encouraged them to visit the NELFUND website, “which is easily accessible and self-directory, to get more information and submmit your applications. There is need for accuracy of information to avoid unsuccessful applications.
“The loan is an interest-free one meant for whoever wants to acquire tertiary education, assuring that the repayment process is not as stressful as you think. Beneficiaries are expected to commence repayment of the loan two years after completing NYSC. But that could also be extended if there’s delay in securing a job.”
Ebonyi
At Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, highlighted some of the challenges they encountered in the course of the application, and appealed to NELFund to address the issues. He, however, assured NELFund that the school management would continue to enlighten the students on the benefits of the student loan, in addition to providing the necessary guide for seamless application.
Sawyerr responded: “We have done this sensitisation in the past, and we saw the positive response we received from the students. The presence of senior NELFund and NANS officials in this engagement with students will further strengthen the confidence and trust of the students to the credibility and genuineness of the process.”
He disabused the minds of the students that the student loan was a trap set by the government to mortgage their future: “This is false information that should be disregarded outright.
“The student loan is an idea that was conceived to take away financial burden from parents and students. The process is simple and the repayment system also is not stressful and choking.
“Let me assure you that no one will call, text or harass you about the loan repayment. You pay back the loan at your pace without any form of harassment. You can choose to start the repayment of the loan immediately after your NYSC if you are able to secure a job.
“But if you venture into private business or self-employment, you will be expected to remit 10 per cent of your profit as loan repayment. This is to enable others have enough money to access for their own education. Please, save your parents the stress and access the loan. There’s also monthly stipends that can be accessed for your upkeep.”
Abia
At the Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUA), Umudike, the NELFund team also had fruitful interactions with the students and others from other nearby public institutions, taking and answering several questions regarding the loan from the students.
What students, others say
Benedict Soludo, Special Assistant to Anambra State Governor on Students Affairs, promised to continue the sensitisation and mobilisation of students at other fora to access the loan.
He suggested an interactive engagement with parents and traditional rulers: “So that they can be convinced to allow their children participate in the scheme, thus taking huge financial burden off their shoulders thereby, making funds available for other engagements.”
NANS president, Emonefe, neutralised the fear of the students, and encouraged them to embrace the opportunity. He assured them of the genuineness of the system: “It’s not for few privileged people as being erroneously believed by many people, but for all students who indicate interest and submit the necessary information to the provided portal.”
Mrs. Chioma Nweze, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South East), said: “We shouldn’t be lagging behind in things like this. This loan is available for all Nigerian students to assess irrespective of region, religion, political affiliation, or other differences, and if people from other regions are already enjoying the services, why should we be holding back? It’s important we leverage this opportunity to support our education.”
Nnenna Onyeoku, a 300-level student of UNN said: “My initial fear was paying back the loan. But I have been educated by the NELFund MD that the repayment is not as stressful as we thought. I am now convinced to apply for the loan.
“I particularly love his humility. He had to come down to our level to interact with us despite his high position. That, perhaps, further convinced the students on the genuineness and transparency of the process.”
Anike Abigail: “We have heard several things about the student loan scheme, but we still had limited knowledge about that, until this meeting with the officials. We got more knowledge and information regarding the scheme. That had strengthened our conviction in the credibility and genuineness of the scheme. I have started the application process.”
Another UNN student, Godman Wisdom, said his fear, particularly about the repayment plans was neutralised after listening to the explanations by the NELFund officials.
Offor Peace, a student of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), said she heard about the loan scheme from her brother, who encouraged her and friends to apply.
Another AE-FUNAI student, Emmanuel Kenneth, said he won’t hesitate to take advantage of the scheme, stressing that it could take off huge financial load from his parents.
Joy Adaobi, said the intervention is a good innovation that will assist students with financial challenges to access education: “I know many students that are struggling to pay school fees. This will be a great opportunity to secure an interest-free loan for their education.”