A member of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) Board of Trustees, Umar Farouk Lawal, has challenged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to provide evidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered tertiary institutions to increase tuition fees.
Lawal, who represents students on the NELFUND board, made the demand while reacting to Atiku’s comments about the student loan scheme and the cost of education under the Tinubu administration.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, had reportedly promised to review NELFUND if elected. He also criticised the rising cost of education in the country.
Lawal challenges Atiku over tuition fee claim
Lawal dismissed the claim that Tinubu directed federal and state-owned tertiary institutions to increase their tuition fees. He maintained that the President had issued no such directive.
“As the Board Member representing Students on the Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), I wish to state categorically that at no time has Mr. President ordered the increment of tuition fees in any federal or state-owned tertiary institution in Nigeria,” Lawal said.
He challenged Atiku, his team and heads of tertiary institutions to produce an official document supporting the claim.
Lawal said such evidence could include a directive, circular, memorandum or letter from the President.He argued that discussions about Nigerian students should rely on verifiable facts rather than claims that could mislead the public.
The NELFUND board member also explained that individual institutions have governing structures responsible for reviewing their charges. He said those decisions must remain within the relevant regulatory framework.
Lawal therefore urged institutions to take responsibility for their fee decisions instead of attributing such increases to the President.
NELFUND defends student loan scheme
Lawal also defended NELFUND and its role in removing financial barriers to tertiary education. According to him, the Fund provides tuition support and upkeep allowances to students across the country. He said more than 1.38 million students had benefited from the scheme as of April 2026.
Lawal added that the Fund had disbursed over ₦242 billion for tuition and upkeep support. He rejected the suggestion that NELFUND was created simply because of higher school fees.
Instead, he described the scheme as a broader intervention designed to expand access to tertiary education. The board member said the programme also helps ease financial pressure on students and their families.
“NELFUND is a major intervention designed to expand access to tertiary education and provide financial relief to students from families who may otherwise struggle to meet the cost of their education,” he stated.
Lawal questions Atiku’s NELFUND proposal
Reacting to Atiku’s reported plan to review NELFUND, Lawal asked the ADC candidate to explain the changes he intends to make.
He also questioned how any proposed debt forgiveness would work without affecting the sustainability of the student loan system. Lawal noted that NELFUND had raised concerns about reports of arbitrary increases in tuition and other institutional charges.
He said the Fund remained committed to protecting students from practices that could undermine the loan scheme. The board member also cited figures from the Presidency on NELFUND’s reach.
According to the figures, more than 1.64 million students had accessed tuition and upkeep support through the Fund. The figures also showed that NELFUND had disbursed more than ₦303 billion through 300 higher institutions.
NELFUND board member calls for evidence-based debate
Lawal urged political leaders, particularly presidential candidates, to make constructive contributions to discussions about education. He said such contributions should rely on facts and verifiable information.
The NELFUND board member also warned against turning students into victims of political narratives and misinformation. He reaffirmed his commitment to defending the interests and welfare of Nigerian students, regardless of political affiliation.
Read also: Atiku vows to review NELFUND, write off students’ debts
