The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the Federal Government to audit and investigate the Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) funds managed by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and probe the conduct of its Director-General over the persistent failure to pay student allowances across tertiary institutions nationwide.
This followed NANS’ growing concern over the continued inability of the ITF to resolve the long-standing issue of unpaid and delayed SIWES allowances affecting thousands of students in higher institutions across the country.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Assistant Secretary General of the association, Adejuwon Olatunji Emmanuel, NANS said that for several years, many students who participated in the SIWES programme had not received their statutory allowances.
According to the association, despite repeated complaints, petitions, and meetings by students’ unions and other stakeholders, the problem has remained unresolved, subjecting students to financial hardship and undermining confidence in a programme designed to promote skill development and workforce readiness.
NANS expressed concern that under the leadership of the Director-General of the ITF, Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, there has been no clear or transparent explanation given to Nigerian students on the status of the unpaid allowances. It said the continued silence, poor communication, and lack of accountability surrounding SIWES disbursements have raised serious questions about administrative efficiency and institutional responsibility within the ITF.
While the association clarified that it was not pre-empting any investigation, it described as troubling the widespread allegations of mismanagement and diversion of funds circulating among affected students.
It stated that such allegations demand urgent clarification, stressing that the Federal Government has a duty to ensure transparency in matters involving public funds meant for education and youth empowerment.
NANS called on President Bola Tinubu to order a comprehensive audit and investigation into the management of SIWES funds over the years. It also urged that, pending the outcome of such an investigation, the leadership of the ITF should be reviewed to protect institutional integrity and public trust.
“Where necessary, the Director-General should either step aside or be relieved of his duties to allow for an unhindered probe,” the statement added.
The association insisted that Nigerian students should not continue to suffer because of administrative lapses, reminding authorities that SIWES is a statutory entitlement, not a privilege. It warned that any system that consistently denies students their due rights has failed in its purpose.
NANS reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful advocacy, accountability, and constructive dialogue but warned that it would not hesitate to take lawful actions until all affected students receive their allowances in full.
