The Federal Ministry of Training has launched a proper probe into alleged unauthorized deductions from pupil loans disbursed below the Nigerian Training Mortgage Fund (NELFund) by some Nigerian universities, following a media report that raised critical considerations.
In a press release launched on Could 1, 2025, the Honourable Minister of Training, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, described the allegations as “very disturbing and very regarding.”
He added that “any unauthorized deductions from pupil loans not solely breach {financial} ethics but in addition undermine the very basis upon which NELFund was established.”
He emphasised the damaging impact such actions might have on the credibility of the mortgage scheme.
“Any unauthorized deductions from pupil loans not solely breach {financial} ethics but in addition undermine the very basis upon which NELFund was established,” he said
He warned that if confirmed true, the actions would represent a betrayal of public belief and the federal government’s efforts to make sure equitable entry to training.
Backstory
The Unbiased Corrupt Practices and Different Associated Offences Fee (ICPC) had earlier launched its personal investigation following a media report that alleged the involvement of 51 tertiary establishments in unlawful deductions from college students’ loans.
- The Fee mentioned these deductions, starting from N3,500 to N30,000 per pupil, have been comprised of institutional charges paid through the mortgage fund.
- Based on the ICPC, though the Federal Authorities launched N100 billion for the coed mortgage scheme, solely N28.8 billion has thus far been disbursed to college students, leaving an unaccounted stability of N71.2 billion.
- The anti-corruption physique has invited the CEO of NELFund, Akintunde Sawyerr, together with officers of the Central {Bank} of Nigeria and others, to supply explanations. The investigation will now lengthen to each the beneficiary establishments and particular person pupil recipients.
In response to the ICPC’s motion, the Nigerian Training Mortgage Fund denied stories of fund mismanagement. It clarified that the {financial} figures being circulated within the public are drawn from older training financing interventions that predate NELFUND’s launch in 2024 and due to this fact don’t have any relevance to the current scheme.
The company defined that every one institutional charges are paid on to verified establishments, whereas pupil repairs allowances are deposited into verified {bank} accounts of eligible candidates.
It emphasised that the method is absolutely automated, eliminating any human interference, and that every one transactions are digitally tracked, timestamped, and verifiable.
Emergency assembly scheduled
To handle the problem, the Ministry will maintain an pressing assembly on Could 6, 2025, with Vice Chancellors of the affected universities and the Managing Director of NELFund.
The assembly, in keeping with the Ministry, will completely examine the claims, guarantee accountability, and “reaffirm the Ministry’s zero-tolerance coverage towards {financial} malpractice within the training sector.”
Transparency instruments launched
The Ministry additionally introduced a brand new set of initiatives geared toward enhancing transparency within the disbursement and use of training mortgage funds.
- In collaboration with the Athena Centre, the Ministry will launch a compliance-tracking initiative and a countdown webpage to watch institutional transparency.
- An Annual College Transparency Index may also be launched to advertise accountability and enhance the worldwide rating of Nigerian universities.
- Moreover, bursars and ICT Heads from universities and polytechnics will endure coaching on the event and upkeep of open-portal programs that guarantee real-time monitoring of pupil mortgage transactions.
Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the federal government’s dedication below the Nationwide Training Sector Reform Initiative (NESRI), emphasizing the significance of transparency, accountable {financial} conduct, and making certain that each kobo allotted for pupil welfare is used appropriately.
He assured Nigerians that the problem wouldn’t be ignored and that anybody discovered responsible would face applicable sanctions.
He additionally highlighted NELFund, a flagship initiative launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was created to increase entry to high-quality training and to supply {financial} help to college students and establishments in a good and clear method, he burdened that any try to take advantage of the fund would contradict the President’s imaginative and prescient for inclusive human capital improvement.


