The denial follows a newspaper report claiming that the minister was responsible for delaying the resumption of newly employed personnel.

A senior ministry official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to comment publicly, said there was no approval for any ongoing recruitment exercise at NELFUND.

According to the source, the agency is already overstaffed, with some employees reportedly lacking office space and clearly defined responsibilities.

“We can authoritatively state that there is no approval for any recruitment exercise in the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), as the agency is overstaffed, with many personnel without office space or defined schedules of duty,” the source said.

The official described reports linking the minister to the alleged delay as “false and misleading”.

According to the source, the issue predates the minister’s involvement and was first raised during a meeting between NELFUND’s executive management and Jim Ovia, chairman of the agency’s board, in Lagos.

The source alleged that Ovia halted the recruitment process after it emerged that the exercise had not received board approval or been formally considered by the agency’s management.

The official further claimed that three executive directors requested evidence of authorisation for the recruitment from the managing director but did not receive a response.

The source also alleged that despite objections from senior officials, the managing director proceeded with the recruitment exercise and documentation outside established administrative procedures.

According to the ministry official, the board chairman directed that individuals recruited through the disputed process should not be placed on the agency’s payroll pending further review.

The source added that Ovia also ordered a comprehensive review of staff grades and ranks to ensure compliance with internal procedures.

The ministry official further alleged that after management met with the minister, the managing director held a private meeting with close aides and indicated an intention to continue with the recruitment exercise.

The source advised that the agency’s board secretary and executive director of operations could verify the directives reportedly issued during the Lagos meeting.

The official also claimed that about 80 percent of NELFUND’s workforce is currently redundant, adding that the issue was acknowledged by the agency’s leadership during a recent management meeting.

According to the source, the minister’s intervention helped prevent what was described as an organisational crisis.

NELFUND had not publicly responded to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.

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Alausa spoke on Tuesday during the handover of recovered assets by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the federal ministry of education in Abuja.

The recovered assets include 501 double-decker bed frames, 939 mattresses and 12 wooden beds with mattresses, which will be distributed to federal unity colleges across the country.

According to the minister, the asset recovery programme reflects the Tinubu administration’s commitment to ensuring that resources recovered from criminal activities are redirected to projects that directly benefit Nigerians, particularly children and young people.

He said the initiative demonstrates the government’s resolve to reinvest recovered public assets in critical sectors, with education remaining a top priority.

Alausa described education as central to Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy through sustained investment in human capital development.

He said converting recovered assets into educational resources reflects a deliberate policy of turning proceeds of crime into opportunities that improve learning outcomes and secure a better future for Nigerian students.

The minister added that the education sector has become one of the biggest beneficiaries of the federal government’s asset recovery efforts.

He recalled that Tinubu had earlier approved the conversion of a forfeited university facility into the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, instead of allowing the property to be sold.

According to Alausa, the university has already enrolled more than 3,000 students in programmes covering applied sciences, engineering, nursing, health sciences and other critical fields.

He said the newly recovered assets would significantly improve accommodation and welfare for students in colleges and other educational institutions nationwide.

Alausa also commended Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the EFCC, for strengthening public confidence in the anti-graft agency through professionalism, adherence to the rule of law and sustained efforts against corruption, procurement fraud and cybercrime.

Earlier, Olukoyede said the assets were recovered during Operation Eagle Flush, one of the commission’s largest cybercrime operations.

He said the operation, conducted towards the end of 2024, led to the arrest of about 792 suspects, including foreign nationals, who were investigated, prosecuted, convicted and repatriated after serving their prison terms.

The EFCC chairman said the restitution was carried out in line with the Proceeds of Crime Act and the federal government’s commitment to ensuring that recovered assets are transparently deployed for national development.

Olukoyede said children and young people are among the greatest victims of corruption and financial crimes, making it appropriate for them to benefit from assets recovered from criminal enterprises.

He also highlighted previous interventions by the commission in the education sector, including the transfer of the forfeited university facility that now houses the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, and the deployment of recovered proceeds of crime as part of the seed funding for the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

According to him, about 1.4 million students have already benefited from the student loan scheme through tuition support and monthly upkeep allowances, easing financial pressures that often expose vulnerable youths to cybercrime and other financial crimes.

The handover was formalised through the signing of a deed of release by representatives of the EFCC and the federal ministry of education, including Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, the ministry’s permanent secretary.

Alausa assured Nigerians that the recovered assets would be distributed transparently and equitably to unity schools across the country to improve student welfare, accommodation and learning infrastructure.

The post EFCC hands over recovered assets to education ministry first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

In a statement on Monday, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, NELFUND director of strategic communications, said the agency is worried over arbitrary increases in tuition and other institutional charges by some institutions, warning that such actions undermine the objectives of the federal government’s student loan scheme.

Oseyemi said the fund had received reports of affected students and is taking steps to address the situation.

“The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has noted with concern reports of some tertiary institutions delaying or refusing to refund students whose tuition fees had already been paid before NELFUND disbursements, as well as arbitrary increases in tuition and other institutional charges,” the statement reads.

She noted that the student loan scheme, introduced under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, was established to remove financial barriers to higher education and should not become an avenue for imposing additional burdens on students.

According to her, NELFUND is engaging the affected institutions and relevant authorities to ensure that eligible students receive refunds where due and that institutional charges remain fair and transparent.

She reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of students and maintaining the integrity of the student loan scheme, describing it as a landmark national intervention.

The post NELFUND condemns institutions withholding students’ tuition refunds, arbitrary fee hikes first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

Yilwatda spoke in Abuja on Wednesday while addressing coordinators of the renewed hope ambassadors during a workshop focused on developing a strategic communication framework for disseminating the achievements of the Tinubu administration.

According to him, the role of the ambassadors has become increasingly important at a time when misinformation spreads rapidly and citizens require accurate information about government policies and programmes.

He said President Tinubu inherited an economy weighed down by structural challenges, including unsustainable fuel subsidy payments, multiple exchange rate windows, declining investor confidence, revenue leakages and a rising debt burden.

Despite the challenges, Yilwatda said the administration opted for bold reforms aimed at long-term economic stability and prosperity.

“President Tinubu chose courage over convenience and made bold reforms aimed at long-term national prosperity over short-term political comfort,” he said.

The APC chairman argued that three years into the administration, the impact of those reforms was becoming visible through stronger macroeconomic indicators, improved fiscal management and growing investor confidence.

He said Nigeria’s foreign reserves had risen to more than $50 billion, while government revenues had increased through improved tax administration, transparency and the removal of fuel subsidies.

Yilwatda also cited increased investments across key sectors of the economy and a trade surplus of N7.55 trillion recorded in the first quarter of 2026 as evidence of improving economic performance.

He highlighted major infrastructure projects being executed by the administration, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry superhighway and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline, describing them as critical components of a broader economic architecture designed to support Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a $1 trillion economy.

The APC chairman further pointed to investments in education, healthcare and social protection, noting that about 1.5 million students had benefited from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Yilwatda, however, said the achievements would have limited impact if they were not effectively communicated to citizens.

“Policies do not speak for themselves. Projects do not speak for themselves. Statistics do not speak for themselves. People speak,” he said.

He urged the renewed hope ambassadors to translate government policies into language that ordinary Nigerians could understand and relate to, using real-life examples to demonstrate the impact of reforms on communities and individuals.

According to him, the task before party members is not only to prepare for future elections but also to help build confidence in governance and support the administration’s vision of a prosperous and globally competitive Nigeria.

The post Yilwatda to APC members: Tell Nigerians how Tinubu’s reforms are transforming the economy first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, NELFUND’s director of strategic communications, described the reports circulating on social media and online platforms as false, misleading, and intended to create panic among beneficiaries and the public.

 Oluwatuyi said the publications included a fabricated statement falsely attributed to the agency and an AI-generated newspaper front page purportedly from the Nigerian Tribune.

She added that no directive had been issued by either the federal government or NELFUND regarding the suspension of upkeep allowances for students benefiting from the scheme.

According to the NELFUND’s spokesperson, the viral publications did not originate from the agency or any authorised government communication channel.

“The newspaper cover currently being shared is AI-generated and does not represent a genuine publication from The Nigerian Tribune,” the statement reads.

She added that the fund remains committed to the transparent and efficient disbursement of student loans and upkeep support in line with its mandate.

Oluwatuyi urged beneficiaries, stakeholders, and members of the public to disregard the publications and rely only on verified information shared through NELFUND’s official communication channels and credible media platforms.

She also advised Nigerians against sharing unverified information capable of spreading misinformation and causing anxiety among students and parents nationwide.

The post NELFUND denies suspending students’ upkeep allowance payments first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the fund said the extension applies strictly to institutions that formally requested extra time to enable eligible students complete their applications on the NELFUND student loan portal.

Akintunde Sawyerr, managing director of NELFUND, said the decision underscores the fund’s commitment to ensuring that qualified Nigerian students can benefit from the student loan programme.

“NELFUND remains committed to ensuring that eligible students across participating institutions have the opportunity to access the student loan programme,” Sawyerr said.

He encouraged students in the affected institutions to take advantage of the extension to complete their applications through the official portal.

Sawyerr added that the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to expand access to higher education financing and remove financial barriers facing students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

The organisation reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the delivery of sustainable student financing solutions for Nigerian students.

The student loan scheme is designed to provide financial support to eligible students pursuing higher education, helping them cover tuition and other academic-related expenses.

The post NELFUND extends student loan application portal for institutions seeking more time first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

In a statement, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, NELFund director of strategic communications, said the agency is concerned about reports circulating in the media and on social platforms suggesting that repayment had begun for beneficiaries of the student loans.

Oluwatuyi clarified that no such directive has been issued, noting that the claim followed a purported circular attributed to the University of Benin (UNIBEN) outlining repayment procedures.

She said  Edoba Omoregie, the vice-chancellor of UNIBEN, has since disowned the document, confirming that it did not emanate from the institution, noting that no repayment guideline has been released by NELFUND or the federal government.

“For the avoidance of doubt, NELFUND has not issued any directive requesting students to begin repayment of their loans,” the statement reads.

Oluwatuyi explained that the repayment framework for student loans is clearly provided for in the NELFUND Establishment Act, which stipulates that beneficiaries are not required to repay while still in school.

According to her, repayment is also not required if a beneficiary remains unemployed after graduation, and loan repayment only begins in line with the provisions of the law after securing gainful employment.

She reiterated the agency’s commitment to expanding access to higher education through transparent, fair, and student-friendly financing, adding that any official information on loan administration or repayment would only be communicated through verified NELFUND channels and formal government platforms.

She urged students, parents, tertiary institutions, and the general public to disregard the fake circular and related publications, warning against the spread of unverified information capable of causing unnecessary anxiety among students.

Oluwatuyi also reassured beneficiaries of its commitment to due process, accountability, and the welfare of Nigerian students, while appreciating the continued cooperation of stakeholders.

The post NELFUND debunks reports directing students to begin loan repayment first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

The scholarship initiative is a decade-long commitment that will support more than 1.3 million Nigerian students across secondary and tertiary institutions.

In a statement on Saturday, Akintunde Sawyerr, the NELFUND managing director, described the initiative, unveiled in Lagos in the presence of Vice-President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu as a bold demonstration of private-sector partnership in line with the renewed hope agenda and his commitment to expanding access to quality education for every Nigerian child.

Sawyerr commended the Foundation for its visionary leadership and its alignment with the federal government’s reform priorities.

“On behalf of NELFUND, we applaud President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for championing collaborative solutions that strengthen our education system,” the statement reads.

“The Dangote Foundation’s N100 billion annual scholarship scheme directly complements the President’s agenda to remove financial barriers for students and empower the next generation of Nigerian talent.”

He noted that the Foundation’s decade-long commitment, targeting public secondary schools, public tertiary institutions, and a significant STEM-focused scholarship track will greatly enhance national efforts to widen access to education financing.

Sawyerr noted NELFUND’s readiness to collaborate with the Dangote Foundation and government partners to ensure efficiency, transparency, and broad impact.

“NELFUND stands ready to engage, support, and work collaboratively to maximise the reach and effectiveness of this programme,” he added.

“We are committed to ensuring that no Nigerian is denied educational opportunity due to financial constraints.”

He reaffirmed that partnerships between the government, private sector, and development stakeholders are essential for building a resilient and inclusive education ecosystem, one that reflects President Tinubu’s renewed call for shared responsibility in national development.

The post NELFUND hails Dangote Foundation’s annual N100bn annual scholarship initiative first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

According to statement by Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, NELFUND’s director of strategic communications, said rise in students’ loan in the state followed an outreach, held in Ijebu-Ife recently.

Oluwatuyi said the session brought together students, parents, guardians, community leaders and education stakeholders to deepen awareness of how to apply for and access the federal government-backed student loan scheme.

Speaking during the programme, Femi Adewumi, facilitator of the event, said the goal was to ensure that no student is denied higher education because of financial constraints.

“I am proud of the impact this sensitisation has achieved, and I commend NELFUND for delivering real opportunities to our young people,” he said.

According to figures released by NELFUND, three institutions in Ogun state have already confirmed receipt of loan disbursements, including Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology, Omu-Ajose, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), and Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic.

Akintunde Sawyerr, NELFUND managing director, described the outcome of the sensitisation exercise as clear evidence of what can be achieved when government institutions and local stakeholders work together.

“Our mission is to democratise access to higher education for every Nigerian student, regardless of financial background,” Sawyerr said.

“The support from community leaders such as Otunba Femi Adewumi and Dr. Oluwadare Kehinde shows what is possible when we collaborate.”

Sawyerr added that the fund will continue expanding its sensitisation efforts across all six geopolitical zones to ensure broad awareness and seamless access to the loan platform.

He also acknowledged Adewumi’s role in facilitating the Ijebu-Ife programme, saying his involvement was critical to the surge in applications and disbursements recorded in the state.

Sawyerr reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring that all eligible students across the country are informed, supported and empowered to benefit from the student loan scheme.

More sensitisation activities and institutional visits, he said, are already scheduled nationwide.

See the beneficiary institutions and the amount disbursed below.

Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology, Omu-Ajose

• Batch 1: 264 students — ₦33,575,000

• Batch 2: 59 students — ₦6,997,500
  Total: ₦40,572,500

Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU)

• 3,473 students — ₦718,585,000

Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic

• Batch 1: 87 students — ₦12,164,500

• Batch 2: 18 students — ₦14,779,500

The post NELFUND sensitisation boosts Ogun uptake as students receive over N785m in loans first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, NELFUND’s director of strategic communications, commended the continued cooperation of tertiary institutions nationwide.

Oluwatuyi further sought the collaboration of tertiary institutions to ensure a smooth and inclusive loan process for all eligible students.

“Institutions are reminded to update and upload the verified records of both returning and newly admitted students on the NELFUND Student Verification Portal, as this step is essential for students to successfully apply and benefit from the scheme,” the statement reads.

She reiterated that returning and newly admitted students of accredited tertiary institutions are eligible to apply for the loan.

Oluwatuyi added that fresh students may apply using either their admission number or JAMB registration number (in place of matric number).

“Institutions are encouraged to show understanding in enforcing registration and fee payment deadlines for students awaiting loan disbursement,” she said.

“Institutions that have not yet commenced their 2025/2026 academic session should formally write to NELFUND with their approved academic calendar for scheduling flexibility

“NELFUND appeals to all institutions to consider temporary registration measures for students whose loan applications are being processed to ensure that no student loses access to education due to financial constraints.”

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