A fresh controversy has erupted over the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) after President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, and the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) attacked former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye over his claim about the student loan scheme. Melaye alleged that NELFUND provides students with only N20,000 annually instead of paying their school fees.
The controversy began after Melaye, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), criticised the Federal Government’s student loan initiative under President Tinubu, describing the scheme as a “haven of corruption.” His comments triggered a strong reaction from NANS, which accused the former senator of misrepresenting the details of the programme.
The NANS president questioned Melaye’s credibility on education matters, asking what role he played for students while serving as a lawmaker. NANS challenged him to disclose whether he provided scholarships or bursaries for students in his constituency during his time in the Senate. The student body argued that discussions around education policies should be based on facts and proper understanding of the scheme rather than political attacks.
Backing the NANS position, Onanuga took the criticism further in a post on X, describing Melaye’s claim as false and questioning the basis of his statement. Onanuga wrote that NANS President delivers a stinging rebuke to Dino Melaye over his brazen lie that NELFUND gives students only N20,000 per year. He added that it was wonder what this former Senator and Atiku campaigner had smoked before going on TV.
Melaye, a former senator and vocal critic of the Tinubu administration, has yet to publicly respond to Onanuga’s remark. The clash comes amid ongoing political debates over the Federal Government’s student loan scheme, with supporters highlighting its role in expanding access to tertiary education while critics continue to question its implementation and impact.
The NELFUND programme was introduced by the Tinubu administration to provide financial support for eligible students in Nigerian tertiary institutions. Supporters of the programme argue that it will help increase access to education, while critics have raised concerns about its sustainability and effectiveness.
The controversy over Melaye’s claim has sparked a heated debate about the student loan scheme, with many Nigerians taking to social media to express their opinions. The debate is expected to continue as the government continues to roll out the programme, with many stakeholders eager to see its impact on the country’s education sector.
Key points
- NANS and Onanuga have criticized Dino Melaye over his claim about NELFUND.
- Melaye alleged that NELFUND provides students with only N20,000 annually.
- The controversy has sparked a heated debate about the student loan scheme.
