The National Association of Nigerian Students has issued a warning to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, threatening to occupy its headquarters if two months of outstanding upkeep allowances owed to student beneficiaries across tertiary institutions are not released without further delay.

NANS President Babatunde Akinteye disclosed in a statement on Sunday that the association had received widespread complaints from students over the non payment of monthly upkeep allowances under the NELFUND scheme, with no official explanation provided by the fund's management.

"I have it on good authority that the disbursement of students' upkeep allowances has been on hold for the past two months, with no clear explanation or accountability from the relevant authorities," Akinteye stated.

The association described the situation as unacceptable, noting that the delay directly undermined the purpose of the student loan programme, which was designed to ease the financial burden on Nigerian students amid the country's difficult economic conditions.

"The primary objective of the NELFUND initiative is to provide relief and support to Nigerian students, particularly in the face of prevailing economic realities. Any delay that deprives students of access to these funds undermines the very purpose for which the initiative was established," Akinteye noted.

NANS directed its appeal to NELFUND Managing Director Akintunde Sawyerr, Minister of Education Tunji Alausa, and Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Taiwo Oyedele, demanding immediate settlement of all outstanding allowances and a transparent explanation to affected students.

Akinteye warned that without a resolution in the shortest possible time, students across the country would have no choice but to take to the streets.

"Failure to do this within the shortest period of time will leave Nigerian students with no option but to embark on peaceful mass action, including the occupation of the NELFUND head office, until concrete steps are taken to address the situation," he warned.

He clarified, however, that the warning reflected genuine student frustration rather than aggression, stressing that thousands of beneficiaries were experiencing real academic and welfare consequences as a result of the delay.

Messages sent to NELFUND Director of Corporate Communication Oseyemi Oluwatuyi received no response before this report was published.

NELFUND provides interest free loans and monthly upkeep allowances to eligible students in public Tertiary Institutions across Nigeria.