The Southeast caucus of the National Assembly has urged tertiary institutions in the zone to comply with the verification request of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, for the disbursement of loans to students.
The caucus made this call in a statement through its leaders, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe and Rep. Igariwey Iduma Enwo, on Sunday in Abuja.
It said that the verification would allow students from institutions in the South East zone to benefit from the national programme.
According to the caucus, it had observed the absence of beneficiaries from the South East tertiary institutions in the list of beneficiaries of the students’ loan, being disbursed by NELFUND.
It said out of the N2.9 billion already disbursed to 27,667 students from 19 institutions in the country, Southeast higher institutions were conspicuously missing from the list.
It added that NELFUND, in its defence, had stated that the absence of beneficiaries of South East institutions was because the institutions were yet to respond to NELFUND’s request for verification of lists sent to the institutions.
The caucus, therefore, encouraged all students in the region, who needed the support, to ensure they apply for the loan.
It further stated that this would help ameliorate some of the challenges limiting access to higher education, self development and growth.
“It is important that as a people, we do not intentionally marginalise ourselves from opportunities which are open to all Nigerians.
“Those opportunities are our right and we must, like others, demand for what rightfully belongs to us,” the caucus said.
