The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), an influential pro-democracy and environmental rights group based in Abia State, has sharply criticized the apparent exclusion of Southeast universities from the recent disbursement of loans under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). The organization expressed its deep concern over the silence maintained by the Education Committees of the National Assembly, particularly the committees of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, regarding this issue.
FENRAD’s outcry comes in the wake of the disbursement of loans to students across 19 tertiary institutions in Nigeria, none of which are located in the Southeast. This development, according to FENRAD, has raised serious questions about the inclusivity and fairness of the NELFUND initiative, which was launched to provide financial assistance to indigent students pursuing higher education across the country.
Legislative Inaction and Historical Precedents
The foundation’s concerns are not only rooted in the current exclusion but also in a historical context of marginalization that the Southeast region has faced in federal educational initiatives. FENRAD lamented that despite the Southeast’s National Assembly caucus raising the alarm over this exclusion, there has been a noticeable lack of intervention from the broader legislative body, particularly the Education Committees. According to FENRAD, the involvement of these committees could have lent the issue the national attention it deserves, ensuring that students and institutions in the Southeast are not sidelined.
FENRAD pointed to past instances of perceived marginalization, citing the discontinuation of the Presidential Special Scholarship Scheme for Innovations and Development (PRESSID) under the Buhari administration as a prime example. The scheme, launched during the Jonathan presidency, was designed to sponsor first-class Nigerian graduates to study abroad and subsequently reintegrate them into the nation’s development framework. However, the Buhari administration halted the program, allegedly due to inadequate representation of Northern students, leaving many Southeast students who had already secured admission to foreign institutions in a lurch.
The organization also recalled the “Education for Change: Ministerial Strategic Plan 2018-2022,” which led to the establishment of 10 specialized universities across Nigeria, none of which were located in the Southeast. Although there were claims that the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) would benefit from a federal upgrade, FENRAD noted that little progress has been observed in that regard.
Current Concerns and Technical Challenges
FENRAD’s concerns are further amplified by reports that some universities in the Southeast have yet to complete the necessary verification process to access the NELFUND. Even those institutions that have completed their verification, such as Enugu State University of Technology (ESUT), have faced technical issues that have delayed their access to funds. These challenges have persisted despite widespread media coverage and the outcry from affected students and stakeholders.
Of particular concern to FENRAD is the report that out of the over 27,000 students who have benefited from NELFUND so far, none are from the Southeast. This allegation, which was highlighted in a recent release by the Southeast National Assembly caucus and cited by FENRAD, raises serious questions about the inclusivity of the program. Given that Southeast students are enrolled in the 19 listed institutions and may be eligible for the loans, their exclusion, if true, suggests a potential bias in the disbursement process.
Call to Action and the Need for Vigilance
FENRAD is calling on the federal government to address these disparities and ensure that students and institutions from the Southeast region benefit from NELFUND. The foundation emphasized that federal educational initiatives should be inclusive, particularly given the significant contributions that the Southeast makes to federal revenue through taxes and other financial obligations.
The foundation also urged Southeast lawmakers to speak out against this exclusion and to advocate for the region’s interests in federal programs. FENRAD warned that failure to address these issues could perpetuate the narrative of marginalization and exclusion that has long plagued the Southeast.
In a broader context, FENRAD is advocating for increased awareness and education within the Southeast about the availability of federal government programs, including grants, palliatives, and other support initiatives. The organization stressed that the region cannot afford to miss out on opportunities due to a lack of information or representation.
As the debate over NELFUND’s disbursement practices continues, FENRAD’s call for action serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges facing the Southeast in accessing federal resources and the critical need for vigilant and proactive advocacy to ensure fair treatment for all regions in Nigeria.
Conclusion
In a strongly worded statement, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, Executive Director of FENRAD, reiterated the foundation’s commitment to standing up for the rights of the Southeast region. He urged federal lawmakers, particularly those who have been vocal in championing the cause of the Southeast, to take immediate action to address the concerns raised by NELFUND’s disbursement practices.
“The time to speak out is now. If not, let your silence be forever observed,” Nwafor concluded, signaling the urgency and importance of addressing these issues before they become further entrenched.
