The Managing Director of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Akintunde Sawyerr, has directed tertiary institutions across the country to refund students who were charged tuition fees despite having accessed the federal student loan.
Sawyerr issued the directive during NELFUND’s First Hybrid Media Engagement held in Abuja, where he warned that non-compliance by institutions could erode public trust and threaten the long-term sustainability of the scheme.
He revealed that the issue of double-charging had triggered petitions from affected students and attracted the attention of anti-corruption agencies, including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Reiterating NELFUND’s commitment to transparency and accountability, the Managing Director stressed the need to protect the integrity of the fund. He cautioned against sensationalist media coverage and misinformation, noting that such actions could deter private-sector investment in the education sector.