Education

Lecturers Resume Academic Activities In NSUK Shun Ongoing ASUU Strike

Published

3 years ago

October 7, 2022

By David Christopher, Lafia

Some lecturers of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) have commenced academic activities despite the ongoing strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Dr Samuel Alu, ASUU NSUK branch Chairman,Mr Abraham Ekpo, Information and Protocol Officer of the institution and Mr Najeem Gbefwi, NSUK Students Union Government (SUG) confirmed the development to newsmen at the institution in Keffi local government area of the state on Thursday.

Our correspondent also went around the lecture halls and confirmed that lectures took place at the Faculty of Law, Faculty of Social Sciences among others.

Our correspondent also revealed that the resumption of academic activities is in line with the directive of the institution recently issued via a statement calling on students to resume back to school for academic activities but ASUU NSUK branch resisted the move.

The union in the institution vowed to continue with the ongoing strike action by the national body till the federal government and the national body reach an agreement on it’s demands and the strike is called off by the national body.

Speaking on the development, Ekpo described it as a win for all and a return to normalcy for the school, especially students who have patiently for a resolution to the crises that instigated the strike action so they can continue with their studies.

“The information we have is that lectures have started across board but you know this thing is gradual. We have departments that just released their timetable yesterday.

“So it’s natural for attendance during the first week of resumption to be a bit low. I am sure by next week, you will see a large turnout and academic activities will become more regular,” he said.

Also speaking, Gbefwi also confirmed that the school is in session and lectures have commenced in some departments but albeit attendance is still low.

“Lectures have been holding. Students in some departments were even given assignments and they are working on it. So academic activities have commenced and we pray to have a smooth semester.

“Even in the midst of the ASUU strike, a lot of lecturers have shown willingness to teach and to make that sacrifice and that compromise,” he said.

He however affirmed that there was still low turnout of students hence the call for a general congress to be held on Friday to further inform students on the need to resume.

However, ASUU NSUK branch Chairman, Alu who expressed disappointment over the development added that the union in the institution is not surprised or deterred by the actions of the lecturers who have chosen to resume and will continue with the strike action till a logical conclusion is arrived at by the federal government and the national body of the union.

“We met just one person in one of the faculty violating what we had agreed on. So we went further to take note of the strike violator and we are processing his query.

“We are hoping he will get the query before the end of today. We expect him to reply before we process further. That is not to say much is happening.

“I was thinking by today the whole students would have been flooded with students and academic activities would have overtaken the whole system but the campus is still a shadow of itself,” he said.

He reassured that no amount of threat will force members of the union to jettison their resolution and resolve to execute the national strike to a logical conclusion.

“For those who are already lecturing, I understand there were some inducements here and there. I wouldn’t know why any member of the union would want to break the strike. However we are calling on our members to remain resolute,” he said.

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Education

NELFUND assures students of smart system to improve loan access

Published

1 month ago

May 7, 2025

The Gleamer

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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