NELFUND Denies Allegations of Political Bias in Loans

Akintunde Sawyerr, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), rejected allegations that the Federal Government’s student loan scheme is biased towards supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC). During an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme, he described the claims as “completely ridiculous.” Sawyerr explained that the loan application process is electronic and requires personal and academic information, which does not include political affiliation.

He noted that many beneficiaries are young students who have not yet voted and may not be affiliated with any political party. He stated that it is impractical to determine political membership through the application process.

Sawyerr highlighted the overwhelming demand for the loan scheme, revealing that NELFUND has disbursed approximately N162 billion in upkeep allowances to students, who are struggling financially to pursue their education.