Education
NELFUND Debunk allegations of student loan misappropriation
Mariam Abeeb
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) said it is alarmed by the recent surge of what it described as inaccurate, misleading, and dangerously speculative reports circulating in the public space regarding the administration of the student loan scheme.
The Fund in a statement by its Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, said the reports, which suggested misappropriation and mismanagement of funds, were “entirely false, grossly irresponsible, and deeply damaging to the integrity of an institution established to deliver financial hope to millions of Nigerians.”
Recall that the ICPC on Thursday said it uncovered billions of naira meant for the student loan scheme.
“This is a coordinated distortion of facts that undermines public trust, weaponises misinformation, and threatens the credibility of a national intervention still in its infancy,” Oluwatuyi said in the statement.
Speaking further, the Fund said that while no funds had been mismanaged, institutional fees were paid directly to verified institutions while upkeep allowances were disbursed to verified bank accounts of eligible students.
“The figures and funding amounts currently being misrepresented in the public are drawn from entirely different education financing interventions predating NELFUND’s operational commencement.
“They bear no relevance to the current student loan scheme and should not be falsely attributed to this institution,” the statement added.
It, however, noted that it remained committed to transparency and cooperation with oversight committees, including the ICPC.
“NELFUND operates a zero human interface, fully automated loan system that eliminates opportunities for financial misconduct. Every application and disbursement is digitally tracked, time-stamped, and verifiable.
“Our commitment to transparency and cooperation with oversight agencies, including the ICPC, is total and unwavering. “We have complied fully with every request for information and will continue to uphold the highest standards of public accountability,” it added.
Education
Barrow lauds NTAC’s efforts in advancing Gambian educational standard
Joel Ajayi
Adama Barrow, the President, Republic of Gambia, has lauded the Nigerian Government’s efforts in advancing his country’s educational standard.
He said the impact was evident through the scholarship and the Technical Aid Corps (TAC) volunteers competence who were sent by the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) to his country.
Barrow said this in a statement in Abuja on Saturday and signed by Nkem Anyata-Lafia, the Special Assistant to the NTAC Director-General on Media and Publicity.
Anyata-Lafia quoted Barrow as saying this at the 17th Convocation Ceremony, University of the Gambia in Banjul.
The Gambian President lauded the giant strides being made by Nigerian professors deployed to serve in his country as volunteers.
He disclosed that the volunteers had completely changed the narratives in the entire education sector of the country.
The President, who is also the Chancellor of the University of the Gambia, noted that the support by NTAC’s continuous deployment of highly qualified professors in diverse fields has shown that Nigeria is truly a blessing to the African continent and beyond.
Responding, Dr Yusuf Yakub, the Director-General, NTAC, expressed delight that the great mandate of the Corps was being appreciated from far and wide.
He also noted the selfless sacrifice the Federal Government of Nigeria was making to sustain the flagship foreign policy tool.
The NTAC boss conveyed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his 4-D Foreign Policy Initiative, which ensures that Nigeria would continue to remain visible in the comity of the nations of the world through its diverse laudable commitments to global advancement and progress.
“Thanks to our dear President for his broad-minded vision for global progress our nation has shown the world that we can selflessly apply ourselves to making our world better.
“From Africa to the Caribbean and Pacific countries, our footprints continue to tell the story that Nigeria is always prepared to give a shoulder to our black brothers and sisters to lean upon no matter where they may be on the face of the earth.
“I am happy today about the progress we are making in the Gambia. You all may recall that a TAC volunteer was the first Vice Chancellor here at this University and, as I speak to you, another set of volunteers are heading the University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (USET).
“So, our partnership with the Gambia did not start today. For many years running this partnership has continued to be a progressive one and we will be glad to continue to engage further.
“I thank the President, my friend, the Honourable Minister of Higher Education as well as the authorities of this University for inviting me here as a Special Guest of Honour.
“We, at the Corps as an institution, will always be there for their collaboration and progressive partnership,”the NTAC D-G emphasised.
The reports have it that Nigeria and the Republic of the Gambia have maintained bilateral relations since the country got her independence In 1965.
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