Tinubu never ordered tuition fee hike, NELFUND board member replies Atiku

A member of the Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Comrade Umar Farouk Lawal, has denied claims that President Bola Tinubu ordered an increase in tuition fees at tertiary institutions, challenging the assertion made by opposition presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. In a statement released to journalists on Wednesday, Lawal called on Atiku to provide evidence supporting his allegations. He emphasized that there was no presidential directive regarding tuition hikes, asserting that such a claim was both inaccurate and misleading. Lawal, who represents the student community on the NELFUND board, stated that he had been alerted to Atiku's remarks, in which the former vice president claimed he would review NELFUND if elected. He reiterated that President Tinubu had never issued any order to raise tuition fees at federal or state-owned universities. “At no time has Mr. President ordered the increment of tuition fees in any federal or state-owned tertiary institution in Nigeria,” he said. Lawal urged all relevant parties, including university administrators and Atiku’s campaign, to present any official documents, such as directives, memorandums, or letters, that could substantiate the claim. He stressed that political discourse around education must be grounded in factual evidence rather than speculative narratives. Lawal defended the NELFUND program, highlighting its role in ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent Nigerian students from pursuing higher education. As of April 2026, he noted that over 1.38 million students had received support under the fund, with more than ₦242 billion disbursed for tuition and upkeep. He warned against reducing NELFUND’s significance to a mere reaction to tuition fee increases, arguing instead that the fund was a strategic effort to enhance educational access and offer relief to economically disadvantaged students. Lawal also questioned Atiku’s proposed review of NELFUND, asking for clarity on which aspects of the fund the candidate intended to change and how these changes would benefit students. He raised concerns about the feasibility of implementing debt forgiveness measures without jeopardizing the long-term viability of the loan scheme. He pointed out that while some universities might independently decide to adjust their fees, such decisions were governed by institutional policies and regulatory frameworks, and should not be conflated with presidential actions. The board member further highlighted that NELFUND had already voiced concerns over arbitrary tuition hikes and had committed to safeguarding students' interests. He referenced data from the presidency indicating that NELFUND had facilitated access to education for over 1.64 million students, with more than ₦303 billion distributed across 300 higher education institutions. Lawal concluded by urging political leaders, especially those vying for the presidency, to contribute constructively to the national dialogue on education, emphasizing the need for evidence-based and student-focused approaches.