8,093 Osun Indigenes Apply For FG’s Students’ Loan

About 8,093 students who are indigenes of Osun State applied for the Federal Government Students’ loan under the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

This was according to a data obtained by OSUN DEFENDER from NELFUND portal on Wednesday.

Out of 13, 368 students who registered for the loan in Osun, on 8,098 were captured for the fund, putting the state seventh out of the 36 states of the federation.

Meanwhile, findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that Osun being among states with highest applications on the NELFUND portal is as a result of the exorbitant school fees, especially in state-owned tertiary institutions.

Recall that both National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Osun State axis and National Association of Osun State Students (NAOSS) had earlier issued an ultimatum to Governor Ademola Adeleke to reverse the 100% increment in school fees for state-owned institutions.

NANS Chairman in Osun, Comrade Taiwo Ogungbe said the statistics highlights the dire situation faced by students in state-owned tertiary institutions as they are struggling to afford the exorbitant school fees.

He urged the government to engage in a comprehensive review of the tuition fee structure and implement measures to alleviate the financial strain on students.

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“As a student leader, I am not fully aware of this or should I say I don’t have this statistics at hand but if true then this trend starkly highlights the dire situation faced by students in our state-owned tertiary institutions, who are struggling to afford the exorbitant school fees.

“The fact that a large number of students are resorting to loan applications underscores the urgency of the situation. This not only perpetuates inequality but also puts a significant burden on the students’ financial stability and mental well-being.

“As someone who has previously advocated for a reduction in the 100% tuition fee increment, I reiterate my call to the school managements to reconsider their decision. It is crucial that we prioritize affordable education and ensure that it is accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic background.

“I urge the state government to engage in a comprehensive review of the tuition fee structure and implement measures to alleviate the financial strain on students. We must work together to create a more inclusive and equitable education system that fosters growth and opportunities for all,” he stated.