The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has demanded the immediate removal of the Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, over the prolonged non-payment of allowances under the Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES).

The national student body made the demand in a Monday statement signed by its Assistant Secretary General, Comr. Olatunji Emmanuel Adejuwon and sent to Daily Sun.

NANS expressed deep outrage at the “persistent and unjustifiable failure” of the ITF to disburse statutory allowances to thousands of students who participated in the programme across tertiary institutions nationwide.

It alleged that these entitlements have remained unpaid for several years, despite repeated complaints, petitions, and engagements by student unions and other stakeholders.

NANS described the situation as causing severe financial hardship for affected students and undermining the credibility of SIWES, a programme intended to enhance skills acquisition, employability, and national workforce development.

The association pointed to a lack of transparent, comprehensive, or credible explanation from the ITF leadership under Dr. Ogun regarding the status of the outstanding payments.

It criticised the ongoing silence, poor communication, and absence of accountability as constituting administrative failure and a breach of public trust.

While not pronouncing guilt, NANS averred that widespread allegations of mismanagement and possible diversion of SIWES funds among students are “deeply disturbing” and warrant urgent scrutiny to ensure transparent accounting of public funds meant for student welfare.

Citing a loss of confidence in the current ITF leadership, NANS demanded the immediate removal of Dr. Ogun as Director-General, stating that his continued tenure is “untenable and inimical to accountability, transparency, and institutional credibility.”

The student body issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to either remove Dr. Ogun or have him resign honourably to enable a transparent investigation into the non-payments.

Failure to act, NANS warned, would be seen as institutional indifference to students’ plight and prompt escalation through all available democratic means.

NANS further called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to immediately invite the ITF leadership for questioning and a thorough probe into the management of SIWES funds.

The association appealed directly to President Bola Tinubu to intervene by ordering a comprehensive forensic audit of SIWES funds, ensuring prompt payment of all outstanding allowances, and taking decisive action to restore confidence in the scheme.

It emphasised that SIWES is a statutory entitlement, not a privilege, and that students should not bear the cost of administrative incompetence or negligence.

(Sun)