The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for strict oversight of the recently approved N683 billion intervention funds allocated by the federal government.
The demand for prudent spending emanated from the students’ body’s concerns about the transparent utilization of the funds for their intended purposes.
NANS Senate President, Akinteye Babatunde, conveyed the association’s stance in a statement released emphasizing the critical need for vigilant monitoring to ensure the money is channeled appropriately.
The funds, if utilized correctly, have the potential to address the pressing needs of students and faculty, ultimately enhancing the overall quality of tertiary education in Nigeria.
While commending the Federal Government for approving the intervention funds, Akinteye stressed the importance of promptly releasing the funds.
He pointed to historical instances where significant sums were approved without subsequent disbursement or fulfillment of the intended objectives, urging the government to break this trend.
Expressing optimism that the intervention funds could bridge the financial gap between students’ needs and the institutions’ capabilities, Akinteye urged tertiary school administrators not to divert the allocated funds.
He underscored the students’ expectation that the release of these funds would prevent further increases in obligatory fees.
In addition to urging timely disbursement, Akinteye called for active engagement between the government and student representatives to establish a robust system of checks and balances.
This collaborative effort aims to prevent any misuse of funds and foster fiscal responsibility across tertiary schools nationwide.
The overarching message from NANS is clear: the judicious utilization of the N683 billion intervention funds is crucial for the advancement of the Nigerian tertiary education landscape.
The association maintains that with proper oversight and engagement, meaningful development can be realized not only in the education sector but across the entirety of the nation’s economy.
