NELFUND’s commitment to providing interest-free loans for Nigerian students has been emphasised by its Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr, at a meeting in Maiduguri.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has reiterated its dedication to improving education in the country through its student loan programme, aimed at reducing unproductivity and providing financial relief for students in higher education.

The initiative, launched as part of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, seeks to empower students by easing the financial burdens that often hinder their academic success.

Also read: NELFUND confirms receiving N50bn from EFCC to boost student loan scheme

Speaking at an engagement meeting in Maiduguri, Borno State, Akintunde Sawyerr, Managing Director of NELFUND, explained the modalities of the loan programme, which is designed to be accessible and flexible for students.

He highlighted that applicants would need to create an online profile as part of the application process. Importantly, the loan is interest-free and does not require a fixed repayment period, making it an attractive option for students who may face financial challenges.

Sawyerr also underscored the programme’s goal of reducing unproductivity among Nigerian students by providing them with the resources needed to focus on their studies without the burden of financial insecurity.

Lawan Wakilbe, Borno State Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, voiced his support for the initiative and announced the appointment of a dedicated desk officer to facilitate the loan application process for students in the state.

This officer will work closely with the Special Adviser to Governor Zulum on Higher Education to guide students through the application process and ensure they understand the benefits of the loan.

Wakilbe described the loan as a low-risk grant, available to all eligible students, and encouraged them to take full advantage of the opportunity.

NELFUND’s initiative aims to provide students from all higher institutions in Nigeria with the financial means to pursue their educational goals.

By making the loan programme accessible, President Tinubu’s administration hopes to create a more productive and educated generation of young people who will drive the nation’s progress.

President Tinubu has removed Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s VC and Registrar following protests, while medical strikes continue over governance concerns.

In a decisive move addressing ongoing protests, President Bola Tinubu has sacked the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Professor Bernard Udoh, alongside the institution’s Registrar, Mrs Rosemary Nwokike.

This comes after days of intense strike action by the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), which had voiced strong opposition to the appointment of Udoh and the university’s governance.

Also read: Resident doctors suspend warning strike, resume today

MDCAN, which has been on a seven-day warning strike since Monday, celebrated the development but stated that it would not end its strike until after a key meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) on Friday.

The union had expressed concerns over what it deemed an improper appointment process for the university’s Vice-Chancellor and raised additional issues regarding medical consultants’ rights and emoluments.

Speaking on the matter, MDCAN’s National President, Professor Muhammad Muhammad, expressed satisfaction with the government’s decision.

“We are excited that one of our demands has been met,” he said. However, he emphasised that the strike would continue until the NEC had made a final decision about further actions.

The MDCAN strike has disrupted medical services across Nigeria, with medical activities grounded in 83 health facilities and 64 medical schools.

The association had voiced its displeasure over the exclusion of medical lecturers from the selection process for the UNIZIK VC and called for the removal of the Chairman of the university’s Governing Council, Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, citing insubordination.

In a statement released by the Presidency, President Tinubu explained that the dismissal followed reports that the university’s governing council had appointed an unqualified Vice-Chancellor without adhering to due process.

“The Federal Government stepped in to resolve tensions between the university’s Senate and its governing council, which appeared to disregard governing laws in its selection process,” said the statement.

Following the dissolution of the governing council, Tinubu also removed Ohieku Salami as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences in Otukpo, Benue State.

The Presidency cited Salami’s “illegal actions,” including suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without proper procedure and ignoring directives from the Federal Ministry of Education.

The Ministry of Education confirmed the removal of both the Nnamdi Azikiwe University VC and its governing council, stating that the appointment of Prof Bernard Odoh was unlawful.

“The decision comes after it was found that the chairman of the governing council unilaterally appointed a Vice-Chancellor who did not meet the minimum eligibility criteria for the position,” the ministry’s statement read.

Additionally, the government has reshuffled leadership at several other federal universities, including swapping the Pro-Chancellors of the Federal Universities of Oye-Ekiti and Lokoja.

These changes are part of the government’s broader strategy to enhance governance and national cohesion within the country’s educational institutions.

The MDCAN has also called for other reforms, including the harmonisation of retirement ages for medical consultants and the payment of outstanding clinical duty allowances.

These demands, alongside the ongoing strike, highlight the tensions between Nigeria’s educational and healthcare systems and the government’s efforts to balance public service reforms with institutional stability.

Nigerian university staff unions declare indefinite strike over four-month withheld salaries, stalling operations nationwide amid calls for reform.

Nigerian universities remain at a standstill as the indefinite strike by non-academic staff unions continues, following months of withheld salaries and unfulfilled agreements.

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) began the strike on Monday, halting activities across campuses.

Also read: SSANU, NASU condemn Federal Government’s renegotiation committee inauguration

The JAC, representing senior staff such as vice-chancellors, bursars, and registrars, demands payment of the four-month outstanding salaries and improved working conditions.

Mr Mohammed Ibrahim, National President of SSANU, emphasised that university executives are also affected by the withheld salaries.

In an interview, he stated, “This is a long-term battle involving vice-chancellors, bursars, registrars, and other senior administrators who were not paid.”

Ibrahim revealed that compliance with the strike is overwhelming, with 98 per cent of university staff participating nationwide.

The issue intensified with the recent dismissal of Nigeria’s former Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, replaced by Dr Tunji Alausa, who now faces immediate pressure to address the crisis.

However, union leaders, including Ibrahim and SSANU’s Vice President Abdussobur Salaam, report no formal engagement with the government thus far.

“All our ultimatums have expired, and we still haven’t received any alerts,” Salaam said, voicing frustration with unmet promises.

A similar protest was declared by the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) on Wednesday. NAAT, which is also owed five months of salaries, announced a protest commencing on 6th November, warning that if issues remain unresolved by 13th November, they would escalate to an indefinite strike.

NAAT President Ibeji Nwokoma issued a two-week ultimatum to the government, citing repeated broken promises over longstanding demands such as improved allowances, upgraded facilities, and a revised staff-to-student ratio.

NAAT members intend to picket the Ministry of Finance on 14th November if withheld salaries remain unpaid. Nwokoma reiterated, “It is unfortunate that despite President Tinubu’s directive to pay the withheld salaries, the Ministry of Finance has failed to act, questioning the government’s sincerity in addressing these concerns.”

The unions argue that the government’s prolonged inaction risks severe disruption to Nigeria’s tertiary education system, potentially derailing academic calendars and critical research initiatives.

According to Nwokoma, branches across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education will hold congresses and conduct referenda to determine further actions.

The unions demand more than just their salaries, calling for a review of the government’s compliance with multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) dating back to 2017.

These agreements were meant to address remuneration, resources for practical training, and infrastructure needs. The unions assert that the lack of progress on these agreements demonstrates “government insensitivity” and threatens the stability of higher education in Nigeria.

As Nigeria’s tertiary institutions face a nationwide shutdown, the impact on students and research is significant. Union leaders hope the latest strike will prompt urgent government intervention, while staff prepare to maintain their stand until all outstanding payments and commitments are fulfilled.