NELFUND Denies APC Bias in Student Loan Scheme

Akintunde Sawyerr, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), addressed allegations that the Federal Government’s student loan scheme favors children of All Progressives Congress (APC) members. During an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme, Sawyerr described the claims as a “completely ridiculous idea.” He clarified that the loan application process is designed to focus on individual eligibility rather than political affiliation, stating that the electronic application system makes it impossible to determine beneficiaries' political ties.

He emphasized that many applicants are first-time voters or not party members. The application requires students to provide their names and matriculation numbers, and it is exclusively for those enrolled in public institutions.

Sawyerr asserted that the system does not discriminate based on personal characteristics, religion, or ethnicity, reinforcing that it is focused solely on Nigerian students who meet the established standards.