The student representative on the Governing Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, Comrade Umar Farouk Lawal, has issued a stern rebuttal to the Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, over claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, directed an upward review of tuition in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
In a press statement released to the media, Lawal dismissed the allegation as “baseless and misleading,” insisting that at no point did the Presidency issue any directive mandating fee increments in federal or state-owned universities, polytechnics, and colleges.
“Produce the Directive” – Lawal Challenges AtikuLawal said his attention was drawn to remarks attributed to the former Vice President in which he pledged to “review NELFUND” if elected in 2027.
“As the Board Member representing Nigerian Students on NELFUND, I state unequivocally that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not, at any time, ordered an increase in tuition across any public tertiary institution in Nigeria,” Lawal declared.
He challenged Atiku, institutional authorities, and political actors to present any “presidential circular, memo, directive, or official correspondence” authorizing such hikes. “National conversations on education must be anchored on facts, not conjecture or politically motivated narratives designed to mislead the electorate,” he added.
Defending NELFUND as a Pro-Poor InterventionLawal mounted a vigorous defense of the Tinubu administration’s flagship student financing initiative, describing NELFUND as a deliberate policy to democratize access to higher education and cushion the economic burden on indigent families.
According to him, the Fund was never conceived as a reaction to fee adjustments, but as a structural reform to guarantee that no Nigerian student is denied tertiary education due to financial constraints.
He cited performance data:
– As of April 2026, *over 1.38 million students had benefited from tuition and upkeep disbursements totaling ₦242 billion.
– Updated Presidency figures indicate more than 1.64 million students across 300 institutions have accessed support, with ₦303 billion already released.
“To reduce NELFUND to a mere response to fee hikes is a gross misrepresentation of its mandate and impact,” Lawal argued.On Autonomy of Institutions and Atiku’s “Review” Pledge.
The Board Member clarified that decisions by individual institutions to adjust charges fall within the purview of their governing councils and regulatory frameworks, and should not be politicized or ascribed to the President.
He further tasked Atiku to be specific on what aspects of NELFUND he intends to “review,” and to explain how proposed debt forgiveness for beneficiaries would be financed without jeopardizing the long-term viability of the scheme for subsequent cohorts.
“Nigerians deserve policy clarity, not slogans. How will the proposed waiver be funded? What safeguards exist to ensure intergenerational sustainability?” he queried.
Lawal noted that NELFUND itself has expressed concern over arbitrary increases in institutional charges and remains committed to safeguarding students’ welfare.
Call for Responsible Opposition PoliticsIn his conclusion, Lawal urged political leaders, particularly presidential hopefuls, to engage in “constructive, fact-driven, and student-centered contributions” to the education debate.
“It is irresponsible to undermine a program that has delivered tangible relief to millions of students without verifiable evidence. Students must not be used as pawns in partisan propaganda,” he stated.
He reaffirmed his commitment to defending students’ interests “irrespective of party affiliation,” and pledged to continue holding both government and institutions accountable to transparency and affordability.
