The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, Akintunde Sawyerr, has rejected allegations that the Federal Government’s student loan scheme favours members or supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Sawyerr described the claim as unreasonable, stressing that the loan application system was designed to process students based on eligibility rather than political affiliation, ethnicity, religion or gender.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme, the NELFUND chief said it would be difficult for the scheme to determine the political affiliations of applicants, particularly as many beneficiaries were yet to participate in an election.
He said, “It is completely ridiculous to suggest that the administration is trying to fund students who support the party. We are talking about students, many of whom are yet to vote, while some will be voting for the first time.”
Sawyerr explained that applications were submitted electronically and required basic details, including the applicant’s name and matriculation number, alongside confirmation that the student was enrolled in a public tertiary institution.
According to him, the system was not designed to identify or consider the political affiliations of applicants.
He said, “The system is focused on Nigerians who meet the required standards. It does not recognise your gender, and there is no bias built into the process, either at the front end or the back end.”
The NELFUND boss also dismissed concerns that religious or ethnic considerations could influence the disbursement of loans.
He stated, “The system does not care whether you are from one tribe or another. It does not have an opinion about whether you are a Christian, Muslim or an adherent of African traditional religion.”
Sawyerr disclosed that demand for the student loan had been substantial, but maintained that applications were assessed according to established eligibility criteria.
NELFUND administers interest-free education loans to eligible Nigerian students in public tertiary institutions. The scheme provides support for institutional fees as well as monthly upkeep allowances.
The clarification came on the same day NELFUND dismissed as false a viral claim that President Bola Tinubu had approved life imprisonment for students who failed to repay their education loans after graduation.
