Beneficiaries of the Federal Government’s student loan scheme across the country have lamented the delay in the payment of their August stipend.
Some of the affected students have expressed their disappointment in the payment delay.
According to plans, students can choose to apply for upkeep loan apart from institutional loans, which is paid directly to institutions.
A total of 20,371 students from six tertiary institutions were said to have been paid a sum of N20,000 each as July stipends.
The institutions said to have benefitted from the disbursement are:
- Bayero University, Kano
- Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State
- University of Ilorin, Kwara State
- University of Benin, Edo State
- University of Ibadan, Oyo State
- University of Maiduguri, Borno State.
A BUK student said, “We haven’t received the August stipend. I am very confused. Please, help us speak to them. The economy is getting too difficult. In fact, we are even trying to plead with them to please help us increase the stipend, as the N20,000 cannot even get us anywhere.”
Another student from the University of Ibadan, who also spoke anonymously, said, “To be very honest, I was expecting it at month end but till now, we have not got any feedback from them as to what the problem is.”
A student of the University of Benin, also speaking, said, “Honestly, it is getting too late. NELFUND needs to do something. Our school fees have been paid, but at this point, the upkeep is much more important. Please, help us reach out to them.”
Commenting on the development, NELFUND’s Director of Corporate Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, said the students would likely be paid the N20,000 stipend this week.
“It’s been approved. They should get it this week,” Oluwatuyi said.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students has called on the Federal Government to increase the monthly stipend from N20,000 to N40,000.
