The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has given the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND a five-day ultimatum to account for N71.2 billion in missing student loan funds.
NAPS also threatenied a nationwide protest if demands for transparency are not met.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, NAPS National President, Comr. Eshiofune Paul Oghayan, accused NELFUND of mismanaging N100 billion allocated for student loans, with only N28.8 billion reportedly disbursed to students.
“The whereabouts of N71.2 billion remain a chilling mystery,” Oghayan said, demanding a detailed breakdown of disbursements, specific figures on benefits to polytechnic students, and plans to address their exclusion.
“Failure to comply will see us lawfully mobilise 0.9% of our 28.1 million students for a mass protest,” he warned, adding that NAPS would petition the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a full-scale investigation.
“We demand clarity—not platitudes, transparency—not theatrics.”
Oghayan also addressed internal reconciliation within NAPS, announcing the formation of a Reconciliation Sub-Committee to restore unity
Chaired by Comr. Muhammed Eneji, with Enebele Choice Uchena as Vice Chairman, Comr. Sunday Ogbonaya as Secretary, and Comr. Ibrahim Seriki as Public Relations Officer, the committee has “restored harmony and charted a new direction.” An inauguration ceremony is scheduled for 28 May 2025 in Abuja.
The association commended Professor Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), for reforms restoring dignity to polytechnics and for appointing former NAPS President Comr. Opeyemi Ridwan to a key role.
NAPS also passed a vote of confidence in Comr. Sunday Dayo Asefon, Senior Special Assistant on Student Engagement to the President, Hon. Ayodele Olawande, Minister of Youth Development, and Mr. Seyi Tinubu for their contributions to student and youth empowerment.