• Warns students against fake websites
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has assured that funds for the much-anticipated students loan would not be diverted into private pockets.
It called on students to exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of any website or service claiming to represent the organisation.
It also emphasised that it would run an open door policy and that the public and civil society organisations are free to scrutinise its activities whenever the need arises.
NELFUND made this known, in Abuja, when its management, led by the Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr paid a visit to Transparency International Abuja office.
Speaking during the meeting, the Managing Director said “ NELFUND aims to give as many loans as possible to Nigerians in need of it.”
The Guardian reported that about 1.2 million students in public tertiary institutions and government acquisition centres would benefit from the first batch of the students loan scheme, set to commence any moment from now.
A statement by the, NELFUND Media and Public Relations Lead, Nasir Ayitogo, quoted the MD as assuring that the Fund under his watch will focus on its mandate and not a single kobo meant for students will go into private pockets.
“The students who want to go to tertiary education, we will provide them the funding and our mandate is to provide that money for them to go to a government owned institution.
“The ultimate objective of the government is to reduce frustration from our society, and remove bad behaviour in all its ramifications resulting from forced idleness amongst the youth.
“We want to enable people through the loan to get opportunities to have a chance in life which only a few currently have.
“For all these to become a success, we have to keep our books open and make sure no money gets missing. To make this happen, we call on Nigerians and particularly Civil Society Organizations to checkmate our activities.
“We want to make sure we call those who can check our activities to prevent greed to please do so in the best interest of Nigerians,” Sawyerr stated.
On his part, the Executive Director in charge of Finance and Administration, Dr Fredrick Akinfala also emphasised on transparency, adding that this will enable the management do the right thing.
He said NELFUND will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Transparency International in that regard.
Also, the Head of Transparency International in Nigeria, Auwal Rafsanjani said the students loan will help in eliminating all forms of criminalities in Nigeria.
Rafsanjani who is also the Executive Director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for coming up with such initiatives, urging the National Assembly to give the agency maximum legislative support.
In another development, the agency urged students to exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of any website or service claiming to represent the organisation.
A statement by the Nasir Ayitogo, NELFUND Media and Public Relations Lead, pointed out that the official channel for student loan applications, which will be opened to the public in due course, is www.nelf.gov.ng.
“The fraudsters operating the website www.fedstudyloan-gov.ng have advertised an application for the highly anticipated student loan program of the Federal Government.”
“NELFUND wishes to clarify that it has no association with this website and strongly condemns any attempts to deceive students seeking financial aid.
“NELFUND takes the security and well-being of our students very seriously and is committed to providing accurate information and resources for financing their education,” the statement reads.
