AKWAPOLY Students Protest Threat: Acting Rector Urges Calm, Assures Swift Action on NELFUND Disbursement Crisis

The Acting Rector of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, Dr. Akanimo Jonah, has called on students to remain calm, responsible, and committed to constructive engagement amid growing concerns over a proposed protest linked to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and delays in the disbursement of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.

Dr. Jonah made the appeal during a meeting held on Monday, 2 February 2026, in his office with representatives of student bodies across the institution. The meeting was convened to address student grievances, reinforce confidence in institutional processes, and prevent any disruption to academic activities or campus security.

The Acting Rector acknowledged the financial strain and emotional pressure many students are facing due to the prolonged delay in accessing NELFUND support. He assured students that the polytechnic’s management fully understands the urgency of the situation and is committed to resolving the issue promptly.

He stated that management is not indifferent to the challenges confronting students, noting that the delay in the education loan scheme has worsened existing economic difficulties. According to him, the institution will engage directly with the ICPC and relevant authorities to ensure a swift and transparent resolution.

Dr. Jonah further explained that NELFUND is a federal loan initiative approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to support students’ access to education and should not be undermined by administrative bottlenecks. He emphasized that if tuition refunds have been returned to the Treasury Single Account as indicated by the ICPC, NELFUND must also issue clear directives to accommodate students who are yet to present themselves for refunds. This, he said, is necessary to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in the loan disbursement process.

While reaffirming students’ constitutional right to express dissatisfaction, the Acting Rector cautioned that such expressions must always be peaceful and aligned with institutional values.

He stressed that the polytechnic upholds discipline, dialogue, and intellectual engagement, urging students to channel their demands through lawful and constructive means. He warned that violence, destruction of property, or disruption of academic activities would undermine the legitimacy of their cause and harm the institution’s academic environment.

Also addressing the gathering, the Polytechnic’s NELFUND Desk Officer, Pastor Ibanga Nathaniel, expressed concern over what he described as persistent harassment from the ICPC, stating that the institution has consistently met its administrative obligations. He provided a detailed explanation of the procedures involved in accessing the student loan scheme and encouraged student leaders to educate their colleagues on the process.

He further advised students to avoid misinformation and rely solely on official communication channels for updates regarding the education loan fund.

The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr. Unyime Udoudo, reiterated management’s commitment to student welfare and appealed for patience and cooperation. He called on student leaders to intensify sensitization efforts across departments and help de-escalate tensions on campus.

He assured students that their well-being remains a top priority for the institution, emphasizing that management views students as partners in progress rather than adversaries. He urged all parties to work together in trust and mutual understanding to overcome the current challenges.

In their separate remarks, the Speaker of the Students’ Union Parliament, Rt. Hon. Win Ner Archibong, and the President of NIDSUG, Senator Godgift Udoakang, expressed appreciation to the Acting Rector and management team for their openness and willingness to engage directly with students.

They commended the leadership’s choice of dialogue over coercion and urged students to maintain peace and unity while allowing management to pursue institutional solutions.

They noted that the meeting restored confidence in the administration’s responsiveness to student concerns and appealed to students not to allow anger to erode years of collective sacrifice, stressing that peace and dialogue remain the most effective tools for sustainable progress.

The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including the Acting Rector, Dr. Akanimo Jonah, the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr. Unyime Udoudo, the NELFUND Desk Officer, Pastor Ibanga Nathaniel, the Chief Security Officer, Mr. Uwem Umoren, SUG executives led by the President and represented by the Vice President, Comrade Onyii Okorie Inah, members of the Students’ Union Parliament led by the Speaker, representatives of NIDSUG led by Senator Godgift Udoakang, Mr. Columba Akpan, and a representative of the Student Policing Initiative.

The engagement reflects Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic’s continued commitment to peaceful conflict resolution, effective student support systems, and responsible higher education governance in Nigeria.