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NELFUND vows to deal with institutions violating funds terms, conditions
Mariam Abeeb
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND has vowed to deal with institutions that go contrary to the terms and conditions surrounding to funds paid to it on behalf of students.
It says while the fund lacks the statutory power to suspend, remove or expel erring heads of institutions, any traced illegality will be reported and dealt with administratively by the Minister of education.
It says it will not allow the initiative of President Bola Tinubu towards making education accessible to willing Nigerians to be sabotaged on the alter of selfish interest.
Speaking during its third day stakeholders meeting and engagement with Heads of Colleges of Education, Agriculture, Health and Nursing, in Abuja, the Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyer, said the commitment of the Fund is to pay all registration charges that will admit students into classes for lectures tutorials, and exams amongst others.
Noting that so far, 303 institutions that we have paid on behalf of 293,000 students, Sawyer said the loan is applicable with how it has been set up and this includes JAMB, NIN, BVN and the matrix numbers, while remarking that the longevity seems to have attracted more people.
According to him, “The commitment of NELFUND is to pay all their registration charges. Our instruction is that once they have paid their institutional charges, they must have access, I repeat, they must have access to education, lectures, classes, tutorials and examination.
“We paid the whole amount, we don’t want the students to put their hands in their pockets and bring out money, and we do not want students to pay because the school told them they haven’t received any money when they already have.
“That’s going to be a serious matter and will be attended to administratively. And if anything illegal is going on, they will be death with as criminal offences if schools are asking students to pay when we already have paid.
“This is not an issue of refund. There are certain instances when we’ve made payments to schools after the students have actually paid because we started payment mid- cycle, but anybody who pays to the school after the school has received money from NELFUND is commiting a crime.
“We don’t have the power to sanction- we can’t suspend, remove or expel, but if we find anything,we have to take it to the minister and if it’s criminal in nature, we have to escalate it to the agencies that will ensure that economic crimes and practices are not being committed.
“We can’t also punish the students for refusing to pay for next session in the name of sanctioning the school. So we are threading with caution. Institutions that are erring are the ones that will face the music, and the minister is determined that this programme by President Bola Tinubu is not sabotaged by selfish interest.
Appreciating public outcry on real or perceived illegalities, Sawyer revealed that plans for thorough investigation into the matter has been concluded with the sperate investigative panels including the National Orientation Agency, NELFUND and the federal ministry of education.
“We are already conducting our own investigation. The NOA is conducting its own investigation, and the ministry of education through the honourable Minister is conducting a holistic investigation.”
News
NCYC Urges Tinubu to Choose Christian Running Mate for 2027
As political momentum gathers ahead of the 2027 general elections, the North Central Youth Council (NCYC) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to select a Christian as his running mate in the next presidential race. The group says such a move would reflect Nigeria’s religious diversity and promote national unity.
In a statement signed by its President, Sunday A. Asuku, the NCYC described the Muslim-Muslim ticket used in the 2023 election—pairing Tinubu with Vice President Kashim Shettima—as a controversial break from Nigeria’s long-standing tradition of religious balancing in top political offices.
The council warned that repeating the same formula in 2027 could deepen existing divisions and alienate large segments of the population.
“Choosing a Christian vice-presidential candidate is not just symbolic—it is a strategic, ethical, and unifying necessity,” Asuku stated.
“Nigeria is a multi-religious nation. Ignoring that fact undermines the foundation of our democracy.”
The NCYC argued that Tinubu’s 2023 victory, while decisive, was marked by weak performance in Christian-majority regions and drew criticism from religious bodies and civil society organizations.
Addressing this imbalance, the group said, would help rebuild public trust and improve Tinubu’s chances in the next election.
“Competent Christian leaders can be found across the country—from the South-East to the Middle Belt. Including them in national leadership would not only demonstrate fairness but also foster national cohesion,” Asuku added.
The group concluded by urging Tinubu to seize the moment and demonstrate true statesmanship.
“The 2027 elections will test Nigeria’s commitment to unity,” the statement read.
“This is a historic opportunity for President Tinubu to lead with inclusiveness and leave a lasting legacy.”
The NCYC’s appeal comes amid growing public discourse on equity, representation, and the future of leadership in Nigeria.
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