The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone C, has applauded the Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for his administration’s interventions in education, youth empowerment, scholarship programmes and students’ welfare across the state.
The students’ body described the Governor’s efforts as commendable, noting that the various initiatives have contributed positively to improving the educational experience and welfare of students in Kwara State.
The Zonal Coordinator of NANS Zone C, Comr. Abiola Azeez Babatunde, stated this on Wednesday during the association’s zonal press conference held at the Ilorin, Kwara State.
Babatunde commended Governor AbdulRazaq for his continued attention to the education sector and his engagement with the students’ community, particularly through scholarship opportunities, youth-focused interventions and other initiatives aimed at supporting students and young people.
He urged the state government to sustain the momentum and further expand its interventions through improved educational infrastructure, stronger bursary and scholarship schemes, better student accommodation and additional programmes targeted at students’ welfare.
“NANS Zone C appreciates the commitment of the Kwara State Government under the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to the development of education and the welfare of students. We encourage the government to sustain these efforts and do even more for our students,” Babatunde said.
The association, however, raised concerns over delays in refunding tuition fees to students who had already paid before their Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) loans were disbursed.
NANS Zone C called on NELFUND and relevant tertiary institutions to ensure that affected students receive their refunds without further delay, stressing that the funds belong to the beneficiaries.
The association also issued a two-week ultimatum to tertiary institutions across the North Central Zone that are yet to conduct Students’ Union Government (SUG) elections, demanding that the electoral process be commenced and concluded within the stipulated period.
It further called for improved students’ welfare, an end to what it described as exploitative charges, stronger campus security and urgent intervention in the ongoing strike at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL).
Babatunde also called on the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) to strengthen collaboration with NANS Zone C in areas including education, entrepreneurship, skills acquisition, research, innovation, peacebuilding and youth empowerment.
He reaffirmed the association’s commitment to constructive engagement and responsible advocacy, stressing that students remain important stakeholders in the development of the North Central region.
