- NELFUND denied allegations of discrimination
The Concerned Igbo Stakeholders Forum (CISF) has condemned the exclusion of South-East institutions from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). In a statement, the group described this move as a “joke taken too far,” questioning why no higher institution from the region was included among the initial beneficiaries.
The President Bola Tinubu-led government reportedly excluded South-East tertiary institutions from the first disbursement of N2.9 billion in student loans, which covered 27,000 students across 19 institutions nationwide. Each of Nigeria’s other geopolitical zones was represented.
NELFUND denied allegations of discrimination, blaming the omission on delayed compliance from South-East institutions. The CISF, however, dismissed this explanation as “unfounded,” noting that even if one institution in the region had met the requirements, it should have been included to honor the Federal Character principle.
The forum urged President Tinubu to revisit the list and ensure the inclusion of three to four South-East institutions in the first batch, emphasizing that Igbos deserve equal respect and inclusion in national initiatives.