The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has condemned alleged unethical practices by some universities in the administration of Nigeria’s student loan scheme, warning that such misconduct threatens the credibility of the initiative designed to ease access to higher education.
In a statement issued Tuesday, CONUA’s National President, Dr. Niyi Sunmonu, said the union is deeply troubled by reports suggesting that while institutions receive funds meant to support students, some management teams deny the disbursement and continue to demand payments from students.
“Even more troubling are allegations that these funds are being held in interest-yielding accounts for the private gains of a few, rather than being used for the intended educational relief,” the statement read.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), through its Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers (COMO), reportedly uncovered further claims of collusion between some institutions and banks to exploit student loan beneficiaries — practices CONUA described as fraudulent and corrosive to public trust.
“As a union that supported the student loan initiative from conception to implementation, CONUA views these allegations as a deliberate attempt to sabotage a scheme designed to reduce the financial burden on Nigerian students and their families,” Sunmonu said.
The union criticized the government’s silence on naming and prosecuting those implicated, calling it “disappointing” and a missed opportunity to deter impunity in Nigeria’s educational sector.
CONUA recommended a series of urgent measures to address the situation, including:
- Immediate Independent Investigation: The Federal Government should initiate a transparent probe involving anti-corruption and regulatory agencies.
- Publication of Findings: Institutions and individuals found guilty must be named and sanctioned, both administratively and legally.
- Oversight Mechanisms: Neutral parties, including academic unions like CONUA, should be integrated into a monitoring framework to ensure proper disbursement and use of loan funds.
- Student Awareness and Protection: Students should be informed of their rights under the loan scheme and safeguarded against extortion.
- Ethical Reorientation: Universities must recommit to values of integrity, transparency, and accountability in academic administration.
CONUA reaffirmed its dedication to integrity and justice in the university system and pledged continued advocacy for student welfare and systemic reform.
“It is only through principled actions that we can reclaim the credibility of our educational institutions and ensure the success of any intervention, including the student loan scheme,” the union stated.
