How You can Benefit from NELFUND Loan

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, will, on the 22nd February, open its registration portal for Nigerian students waiting to apply for loan in the 2024/2025 session. Managing Director of the Fund, Mr. Akintunde Sawyyer disclosed at a press conference in Abuja, Monday, that the portal will close for the 2023/2024 session on the 21st February.  

NELFUND was established in 2024 to provide interest free loans to Nigerian students with the aim of making higher education affordable and accessible for the all Nigerians. It offers interest free loans covering tuition and other fees charged by schools which are paid directly into the schools' account on behalf of the beneficies. It also offers student's upkeep loan of twenty thousand naira monthly paid into students' accounts. A student may choose either to take that or not.

Mr. Sawyyer advised intending beneficiaries to prepare against the date. He assured that all applications would be duly processed.

Mr. Akintunde Sawyyer: Managing Director of NELFUND 

Here is how you can benefit from the loan.

First, you need to know that your data is secure with NELFUND and you can complete the application within 15-30 minutes. It's that fast and easy!

Eligibility 

*You must be a Nigerian.

*You must be currently a student of a public higher institution of learning in Nigeria. 

*You must not be a defaulter of loan from any registered finance institutions.

*Must not be a convict.

*Must not be a cultist

*You must not present fake documents and false information in the process of registration.

*There is no age limit.

Required Documents 

According to the information on the Fund's website, you will need to upload a scanned copy of your admission letter and may upload a  scanned copy your student identification in addition.

How to Apply for NELFUND Student Loan.

-Visit the official site of NELFUND: https://nelf.gov.ng 

-Click on the "APPLY NOW" button to get started.

-Click "Get started" on the next window.

-Answer the questions on the next window.

-Click on the "Request for Student Loan" button and complete the loan application steps and submit.

-Your application will be reviewed. After successful verification, payments will be made to your institution for institutional charge, while the upkeep loan will be paid to the bank account you have provided in your profile. 

According to information on the official site of the Fund, your application may be rejected: 

If proven you have defaulted in any previous loan granted by any licensed financial institution. Submission of fake/fraudulent documents and being dismissed by any school authority for examination malpractices are further grounds for disqualification. In addition conviction for fraud and forgery, drug offences, cultism, felony, or any offences involving dishonesty also attract rejection of application.

Appeal 

If your application is rejected you can appeal by sending a mail to the Fund.

Repayment 

The loan is due for repayment at 10% of beneficiary's salary after two years of National Youth Service until the full loan amount is defrayed. Should a beneficiary still be unemployed at the time he/she should contact the Fund and swear to an avidavit to that effect. 

Education Under Tinubu: So Far So Good

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's goal for the Nigerian education sector, "Better Education for All" under the Renewed Hope package has achieved laudable and unprecedented feats in less than two years with most of them recorded under the stewardship of Dr. Tunji Alausa.  However, despite the strenuous efforts of the President's media team led by Bayo Onanuga, a media grandmaster, and the recently appointed inimitable Honourable Daniel Bwala at communicating the President's policies and achievements, these success stories are not being given due ovation for various reasons beyond the scope of this piece.

Dr. Tunji Alausa: Education Minister 

Some of the innovative and progressive achievements of President Bola Tinubu administration are enumerated in this piece.

Policy

Sound policy is the foundation for the success of any organisation. President Bola Tinubu showed he is thinking outside the box when he rolled out system-wide policies in April, 2024. The policies under the acronym of DOTS translating to, Data Repository, Out-of-School Children Education, Teacher Training & Development, and Skill Development & Acquisition are carefully designed to comprehensively overhaul the education sector to improve learning and skill development, increase enrolment, and ensure the academic security of the nation’s children.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga: Head of Tinubu's Media Team

The administration has also ensured a holistic review of existing policies on education through the National Council on Education, NCE, the body responsible for education policy with the Honourable Minister providing the leadership. The Council has convened regularly aside extraordinary sessions to address issues as and when necessary. For instance, the Council had an extraordinary session earlier this February where the following policy issues were addressed:

*National Language Policy

*National Policy on Education

*Nigeria’s First Anti-Bullying Policy

*The Repositioning of Federal Science & Technology Colleges (FSTCs) to Federal Technical Colleges (FTCs) and

*The Reversal of the 16-year-old age enrolment criteria for tertiary institutions." 

The issue of Nomadic Education was also discussed.

In addition, the Council at the session extended compulsory basic education from 9 years to 12. Dr. Alausa explained that this was important in reducing drop out rate, reducing the number of out-of-school children, reversing regression of knowledge and better equipment of school leavers.

In the same vein the Honourable Minister recently announced a shift towards the STEM based education.

The administration has ensured the policy directions and changes are knowledge based, accepted by all stakeholders and poised to take the nation to greater heights.

Hon. Daniel Bwala: Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication 

Staff Welfare

President Tinubu has demonstrated his commitment to improved welfare for educators and supporting staff by offsetting part of the lingering outstanding arrears owed universities lecturers. This has ensured better harmony and the fact ASSU has not gone on strike since under Tinubu is the best testimony to this. If the tren persists, Tinubu will go down in history as the first president since 1999 that did not record university lecturers' strike within the first two years of his administration.

The thorny issue of the inclusion of universities in the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System IPPIS has been laid to rest with the government approving their exit from the scheme. Furthermore, workers receive their salaries timely since the administration came on board.

Education Loan Scheme 

President Tinubu signed the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) (Repeal and Re-enactment) Act, 2024. Act into law on April 3, 2024, signalling a new beginning in education financing and accessibility in Nigeria. The Act established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, which provides sustainable interest free loans to students with the aim to making higher education accessible to all Nigerians. The Fund has benefited over three hundred thousand students in under a year while more are scheduled to come on board early this year with the recent opening of the portal for registration.

Establishment of new Institutions 

To further ensure greater access to quality education, the Tinubu administration has ensured the take off of universities established only in name by President Buhari while establishing new ones as well as other higher institutions of learning. The criteria for new Institutions under Tinubu includes, national need, access and inclusiveness.

Better and Sustainable Funding

As nothing good comes cheap, President Tinubu has matched words with action by ensuring better and sustainable funding for the education sector in Nigeria. The Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFUND, alone receives an allocation of close to one trillion Naira in the 2025 budget. The Tax Reform Bills before the National Assembly also makes provision for huge sums to the Fund over the years to build up a sustainable pool. Aside TETFUND, NELFUND and all agencies under the Federal Ministry of Education have enjoyed improved funding under the Tinubu government.

Provision of Infrastructure 

Realising the decay in education infrastructure in Nigeria and to ensure better learning environment, the Tinubu administration, in the 2025 Federal budget, makes a provision of 828 billion Naira for education infrastructure alone. Another testament to the commitment of President Tinubu to deliver Better Education for All is the disclosure by the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, January that the Tinubu administration spent 27 billion Naira on education infrastructure in just Bwari Area Council.

Legal Framework 

The government recognises that institutions and policies cannot operate successfully without proper and enabling laws. It has therefore, rooted it's policies and actions within the extant laws while reforming those that need reform and sponsoring new laws.

Conclusion

Some of us did not support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu initially. However, patriotism, integrity and good sense mandate all good citizens to appraise actions and pronouncements of leaders without bias and support those that are proven to be done for the advancement of our nation such as these innovative achievements in the education sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

6-3-3-4 not Scrapped, Alausa Clarifies

Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education 

The Honourable Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa has clarified that the 6-3-3-4 system of education currently in operation in Nigeria is not scrapped. Dr. Alausa made the clarification in a post on his verified X account @DrTunjiAlausa Friday.

The Minister explained that what the National Council on Education, NCE, deliberated on was the extension of compulsory basic education from 9 to 12 years. Debunking the report that the 6+3-3-4 system has been scrapped, he said, 

"To clarify, this proposal DOES NOT “scrap JSS and SSS.” Instead, it means that every child must complete all 12 years of schooling (Primary 1 to SS3/Year 1 to Year 12)."

Urging Nigerians to disregard media reports especially on blog sites that the system has been jettisoned, He said, "Please disregard the misinformation circulating on blogs. As I mentioned in my press briefing today, this policy change is part of our broader strategy to ensure that our children are educated properly."

Dr Alausa explained further that the new policy "is aimed at reducing the dropout rate and the number of Out-of-School Children. By ensuring students complete schooling through SS3/Year 12, they will be better equipped with knowledge and life skills. Moreover, this will help prevent the regression of knowledge that we often see when students drop out before SS1/Year 10."

The Honourable Minister listed other policies that came under focus at the extraordinary session of the NCE to include:

*National Language Policy

*National Policy on Education

*Nigeria’s First Anti-Bullying Policy

*The Repositioning of Federal Science & Technology Colleges (FSTCs) to Federal Technical Colleges (FTCs) and

*The Reversal of the 16-year-old age enrolment criteria for tertiary institutions.

In less than 2 years of the Tinubu government, Nigerian education sector has recorded significant progressive changes. Among these are the student loan scheme which has disbursed loans to hundreds of thousands of students, establishment of many new and specialized tertiary institutions and improved funding as evinced in the allocation of about 1 trillion Naira to TETFUND in the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

Sharia in Yorubaland: History, Right, Politics and Caution

It started from Oyo in Oyo State the political capital of the Yorubas with the announcement of a commencement date for Shariah Panel for Oyo and Its environs, and surfaced in Ekiti weeks later with actual images of a Shariah Court in session and the most disturbing is the video of the Timi of Ede, his Olori and entourage kowtowing to the Emir of Ilorin. 

                  Ekiti Sharia Panel

Many may see the events as unrelated but keen observers note a coordination and not a coincidence in the play of events. It is worrisome when one recollects that it is at the same time insurgents, bandits and all other destructive armed entities are reported to be infiltrating Yorubaland from the Fulani North. 

Timi of Ede bowing to Emir Gambari 

Those familiar with the history of how Ilorin was lost to the Fulanis two centuries ago can not suppress the feeling of deja Vu. 

At this juncture it is pertinent to clarify that religious belief and practice is a right guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and reinforced by many international conventions and declarations on human rights as well as Yoruba culture and traditions. Every one is free to practice his religion in deference to the laws of the nation-especially in a multi-religious nation like Nigeria.

It should also be noted that Shariah is not a strange thing to the Yoruba Nation. In reality one grew up believing it was a Yoruba word. It was synonymous with punishment with the aim for correction. It was the fear of our parents or any elder for that matter, meting out Shariah (Ṣẹria) to us that kept us from many hurtful and stupid actions. You are warned of being "da Ṣẹria fun" or being metted with Shariah if you did not obey your elders and so on. 

Iba Gani Abiọdun Adams

Yoruba Nation was familiar with Islam long before the coming of the Fulanis. Hausa men were secretaries to the Alaafins. The same way they adapted Arabic letters to write Hausa language so they did Yoruba language.  It is thanks to their influence many Arabic and Hausa words find their ways into Yoruba lexicon. Wàhálà meaning ìṣòro, ìdààmú meaning ifooro, déédé meaning ogba or ogboogba and the identifying "ni" among an almost inexhaustible list are examples of these. The structure of the Yoruba language was modified by those ancient scribes turning out the modern language we have today.

Governor Seyi Makinde 

Some Yoruba had embraced Islam long before the Fulani jihad with influence from the North while many more got Islam through Muslim merchants from Lebanon, Turkey and returnee slaves from Brazil in the coastal town of Lagos.  Islam in Yoruba Nation has always been about progress and development. Yoruba Muslims established schools attended by all even as Muslim children attend Christian schools. 

In my opinion, Muslims reserve the right to settle their affairs as dictated by the tenents of Islam. The argument that Shariah Law is not recognized in the West doesn't hold water with the knowledge that hundreds of thousands of cases are being settled by churches' elders, imams, family elders and all sorts of unauthorized persons daily. What matters is the consent and submission of parties to such adjucations. It is a matter of choice.

Governor Dapọ Abiodun 

The source of concern is the politization of Shariah with clear instigations from outside Yoruba Nation. If there were no hidden agenda, why would a body in operation for more than ten years now, according to Adebayo Shittu, come out as if they are just coming around? Why the sudden publicity given to the Ekiti Shariah Panel as if it was their first session? It was reported as the first public sitting not first sitting. The Ekiti Sharia Panel was inaugurated last October.  Why is it that the Sultan must intervene in matters concerning Yoruba Nation when we were never under his sultanate? Why would the Timi of Ede, historically a gatekeeper in Yoruba land bend down before the Emir of Ilorin? The symbolism in that is too eerie and heavy for me to mention Why is it at the same time unwanted elements of northern creation ate pouring into Yoruba land in their droves? Why must it be at a time when notable northern leaders are up on arms against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his progressive policies which they erroneously dubbed anti+north?

Those who want to make themselves tools in the hands of outsiders need to be reminded that the Hausa men who fell under Fulani scheming and served as soldiers to overthrow their own kings never got appointed as Emirs. It is reserved for Fulanis. Furthermore, both Afonja, an Oyo prince and the Ààrẹ ọna Kakanfo who enlisted the Fulanis against Òyó and Alfa Solagberu who aided the Fulanis in eliminating Afonja met died at the hands of the people they helped against their own heritage. None of their descendants are among the rulers of Ilorin today.

Yoruba unity, culture, security and independence as well as continual political and economic  relevance are at stake here. All hardline posturing from all sides must give way to reason before things get out of hand.

Obasa Needs Lesson from Enwerem

Mudashiru Obasa, the impeached long

serving speaker of the Lagos State House

Assembly has been in the news for the 

wrong reasons lately.

                     Mudashiru Obasa 

First is his disrespect for the office and person of the Lagos State governor Babajide Sanwolu. Obasa humiliated the governor on the occasion of the presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the Assembly. Obasa kept the governor and his entourage waiting for about five hours before commencing sitting. 

The longest serving Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly also failed to apologize to the governor and the retinue of party leaders who had come to grace the occasion. He instead launched into a tirade on matters of his governorship ambition against the mood and purpose of the event.

              Mojisola Lasbat Meranda 

Irked by his recalcitrant behaviour, the party leaders approached President Tinubu during his end of the year break in Lagos with the speaker in attendance. News has it that the President's son, S'eyi Tinubu happened on the meeting and asked his father the reason for having the party hierarchy in form of the Governor Advisory Council if every matter had to be refer to him.

It seems the Council members took a que from that subtle reference to their redundancy and orchestrated Obasa's exit.

         Seyi Tinubu: political dexterity

While the erstwhile Speaker was away on the 13th of January, his colleagues, exercising their constitutional right of choosing and removing their principal officers, eased him out and his former deputy, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda was installed as the substantive Speaker. It was reported that 37 of the 40 members voted to remove the Speaker citing gross misconduct and financial improprieties.

Many thought the matter would end there. However the former Speaker is not taking it laying low. Obasa has been throwing tantrums and continues to refer to himself as the Speaker. He denied all allegations of financial improprieties against him. He also deemed his removal unconstitutional saying he should be present at the sitting. But legal experts have faulted his position citing relevant laws and sections of the Constitution that empower the members to elect and remove their principal officers.

Expectations of political pundits were that the impeached speaker who has been a member of the Assembly since 2003 would know better and defer to the Council or at best recourse to President Tinubu who has been the political leader of the State since 1999. But Obasa will have none of that. He is intent on mudslinging everyone remotely connected with his impeachment. At the Speaker Lodge in Ikeja GRA where he addressed his followers, he shaded the state police commissioner for leading a team of policemen to the Assembly on the day if his impeachment though they were there to ensure peace. 

Answering questions from journalists after his speech, he declared, 

"My status in the house? I strongly believe I am still the speaker until the right thing has been done. If you want to remove me, remove me the proper way and I will not contest it. I’m a Muslim and I believe in fate. But let’s do it the way it should be done.”

Obasa was a local government legislator before being elected into the Lagos State House of Assembly and eventually becoming Speaker over ten years ago. Political analysts believe he ought to be familiar with the rules. Presiding over a legislative hiuse according to former Senate President Late Chief Evans Enwerem, is an icing on the cake. When answering questions from journalists sometime after his impeachment in 1999, the Chief waxed philosophical and said it was the icing that was removed, he still had his cake.

Obasa should be comforted as he is still a member of the House. Why fight for the icing and lose the cake with it?