The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has attributed the widely reported illegal deductions from students loans by university authorities to the lack of harmonization by relevant stakeholders, assuring that a robust reform measures to streamline the financial interface between NELFUND and tertiary institutions had been instituted to ensure greater clarity, accountability, and efficiency in student loan disbursements.
Mr. Alausa stated this on Wednesday, during a strategic meeting with Vice Chancellors of Federal Universities, Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission,NUC, and the Managing Director of NELFUND in Abuja.
In a statement signed by the Ministery’s
Director, Press & Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the Minister said relevant stakeholders are coming together to put a well coordinated system in place, admitting that optimization is essential to the disbursement process.
“What we are doing now is making a good system better. We owe it to the students and the Nigerian public to ensure full transparency and standardization”
He announced the establishment of a high-level Committee tasked with harmonizing and standardizing the nomenclature of various charges levied by universities, which he said are often misinterpreted as hidden deductions from loan funds.
He emphasized that tertiary education in Nigeria remains tuition-free but noted that other institutional charges must be clearly defined and justifiable. “We are putting an end to ambiguity,” he added.
Earlier in the meeting, the Managing Director of NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sawyer, highlighted the progress made in establishing a user-friendly online platform that allows eligible Nigerian students in both federal and state tertiary institutions to apply for and manage their loans transparently.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, urged NELFUND to improve access and extend outreach to eligible students. He also called on all stakeholders to work toward more impactful and equitable education service delivery.
