Education
ASUU, Nasarawa State University, Keffi Frown At Government Over Unpaid Arrears
By David Christopher, Lafia
Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), Branch have frown at the lackadaisical attitude of Nasarawa State government to meet up with their earlier pronouncement as regards settling their salaries arias to the tune of one Billion Naira and other legitimate welfare.
The ASUU branch chairman of the university Dr. Samuel Alu who made this known during a press conference held at the association’s Secretariat within the university on Tuesday, said the governor of the state Engineer Abdullahii Sule made public pronouncement to comply with their demands , but have not been fulfilled.
He called on concerned stakeholders of the university within and outside to intervene by prevailing on the governor to fulfill his promises or necessary action would be taken by the union.
” That from August,2022 government would take over full payment of salaries of the university staff, Immediate release of 200 Million (out of the over #1 Billion owed the lecturers) to pay part of outstanding End Academics Allowances (EAA)arrears and monthly payment of #20 Million for mainstream of EAA.
” We state categorically, for the benefit of public, that as at the close of our Congress meeting of Thursday 10th November,2022,His Excellency has not fulfilled the commitment he made to us,of his own free will, verbally and and writing. Let me emphasize: our members have not received any payment with respect to the EAA arrears as well as mainstreaming of same”Dr. Alu stated.
He said, the union have perceived a lack of commitment on the part of government and stakeholders to address the said issues, adding that the union would have embark on local industrial action before now, but was overridden by the national strike of the union that just ended.
Education
NELFUND assures students of smart system to improve loan access
Mariam Abeeb
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has assured students it was working assiduously towards building a technology driven system that would improve easy access to its loans.
This was as the FUND disclosed that no fewer than 320,000 students have thus far been paid with many more currently undergoing verification process to enable their payments.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr gave the assurances in Abuja, while addressing Polytechnics , Monotechnics and Institutes at a Stakeholders Engagement Session/ Technical Workshop on NELFUND System Automation and Loan Application Processes.
Sawyerr noted that the FUND was targeting a platform where students could access loan with confidence and without stress in a manner that was transparent and accountable.
He said: “At NELFUND our mission goes beyond giving loans. It’s about opening doors, it’s about making sure every young Nigerian who is willing to learn and grow has a real shot regardless of their background, location, or chosen path of study.
“For too long, many students, especially in technical institutions, have faced steep financial barriers; some drop out, others have never even applied. This is the gap we at NELFUND are here to close. But we know we can’t do it alone.
“This is a shared mission. It belongs to all of us, government institutions and the private sector alike. This technical workshop marks a major step forward.
“We’re not only providing financing, we’re building a technology-driven system that makes it easier for students to apply, for institutions to verify, and for funds to be disbursed with speed, fairness, and accountability.
“We’re aiming for access without stress, a platform students can use with confidence; transparency and trust so that no one is left wondering where their application stands; partnership with purpose because your feedback, your data, and your cooperation are critical to making this work. We rely on you as our institutional partners to help us bring this vision to life.”
Sawyerr who commended the institutions for providing technical expertise, practical hands-on training that fuels industries and empowers communities over the years, said besides teaching skills, they have built careers, created employers and strengthened economies.
“You know your students, you understand their struggles, your insights will help us tailor this system to reflect the realities on ground, not just assumptions on paper.
“To NBTE, we value your steady leadership in shaping and regulating technical education. Your collaboration is key as we move forward fully.”
The NELFUND boss urged the institutions to partner with the FUND to deliver a system that was not just functional or sustainable, but one that was transformative
“As we move forward fully, integrating NELFUND processes with institutional systems and standards, let us remember at the heart of all of this is a student, a young Nigerian with dreams, with ambition, and the courage to pursue them. Everything we do must serve that student.
“The only way to make it happen is by working together, listening to one another, and staying grounded in real-world challenges. I encourage you all to engage fully today share what’s working and what is not, and together let’s build something that lasts.”
NELFUND ‘s Executive Director, Operations, Mr. Iyal Mustapha, disclosed that apart from the 320,000 students who have so far been paid, more verifications are currently ongoing.
Mustapha, who explained that the failure of not having the number of registered students tally with the number of students whose application process was deemed successful was from the part of students and not NELFUND, said there was an urgent need to bridge the gap.
He also disclosed that the FUND was considering connecting directly to institution’s portal to get the data they need, and how student could apply to their institutions portal without necessarily reaching out to NELFUND.
“One other thing that we’re trying to do going forward is to send some of our IT to all the institutions so that we can see how possible it is we connect directly to your portal instead of saying please send us data. How can we connect using an API which makes it easier to get the data of any student coming to us directly from your portal and not from our portal. So we don’t need to be collecting any data again.
“At the same time, we’re thinking of seeing how is it possible that a student can apply to your portal without coming to us. So it makes it so easy for the student when they’re doing registration, when they’re doing payments, they can select either to apply for NELFUND loans and the process will go through your portal. So you have all the data without ever reaching to NELFUND. All we need is for you to give assurance these are your students and if we have that, we pay you directly. It makes it simpler and faster for all the students.”
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