The Presidency has tackled the former Presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi over recent comments credited to him where he described Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a wasteful venture.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Hon. Sunday Asefon, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, faulted Obi claims, saying his uncomplimentary comments about an agency that is doing so much to empower young Nigerians and expand access to tertiary education do not reflect the reality on ground.
The press release reads:
NELFUND IS NOT WASTEFUL BUT A STRATEGIC INVESTMENT IN HUMAN CAPITAL AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
The recent comment credited to His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, describing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) as wasteful, is deeply unfortunate and does not reflect the realities on ground nor the aspirations of millions of Nigerian youths who depend on access to tertiary education for national progress.
NELFund is not a wasteful venture, but a strategic investment in human capital development, deliberately designed to provide unflinching access to tertiary education for Nigerian students, irrespective of socio-economic background.
Education remains the strongest foundation for sustainable development, social stability, and economic growth.
It takes a visionary leader like His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who clearly understands the critical role of education funding as the only guaranteed pathway to quality and inclusive education, to initiate and sustain an intervention of this magnitude.
Policies of this nature are not driven by politics but by foresight, compassion, and national interest.
It is therefore unbecoming of the status of His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, for such a sweeping condemnation to be made against an initiative that has directly benefited over 940,000 Nigerian students across 218 tertiary institutions nationwide, covering both tuition fees and student upkeep.
As at today, Wednesday, 28th January 2026, the total amount disbursed under the NELFund scheme exceeds ₦174.5 billion, with billions more set to be accessed by eligible Nigerian students who meet the required criteria.
No reasonable or responsible political actor should dismiss an intervention that is transforming lives at this scale.
Beyond access to education, NELFund delivers far-reaching social benefits, including:
Reduction in youth unemployment and desperation
Significant decline in crime rates linked to school dropouts
Promotion of social inclusion and equal opportunity
Strengthening of Nigeria’s future workforce and leadership pipeline
NELFund has emerged as one of the most popular and impactful government initiatives, with direct, measurable impact on Nigerian youths and the student community.
It is a policy that deserves national applause, not political dismissal.
We therefore urge His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, to refrain from making disparaging comments on mass-oriented and people-centered policies that are clearly delivering hope and opportunity to millions of Nigerian families.
Regardless of political affiliations or interests, NELFund is a national asset that should be supported by all patriots.
Signed:
Hon. Comr. Asefon Sunday Dayo
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement
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