President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has criticised ADC chieftain Dino Melaye over his claims about the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). Melaye had described NELFUND as a “haven of corruption” and questioned the ₦20,000 monthly upkeep allowance given to students.
Melaye argued that ₦20,000 could not cover annual tuition in government-owned tertiary institutions and questioned the Federal Government’s description of the scheme as a student-loan initiative. NELFUND’s official platform, however, states that the ₦20,000 is an upkeep payment, while approved institutional fees can also be covered under the loan scheme.
Sharing a video from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Onanuga backed its criticism of Melaye and questioned his claim about the allowance. The exchange has added to the ongoing political debate over NELFUND, its funding and the adequacy of financial support for Nigerian students.
