Education

2027: Atiku vows to review NELFUND, forgive qualifying student loans

Published

44 minutes ago

September 2, 2026

Atiku Abubakar

2027: Atiku vows to review NELFUND, forgive qualifying student loans

Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has promised to review the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) policy and introduce debt forgiveness for qualifying Nigerian students if elected president in the 2027 general election.

Atiku’s position was disclosed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, in a statement issued on Tuesday evening while responding to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s comments on the economy and the Federal Government’s student loan scheme.

Shaibu said Atiku’s proposed approach would focus on reducing the underlying cost of education rather than relying mainly on loans to help students cope with rising education expenses.

According to him, Atiku believes Nigerian students should not be forced to graduate from higher institutions and immediately begin their working lives under the weight of substantial education-related debts.

“His approach will reduce the underlying cost of education and, after review, provide forgiveness for qualifying student debts so that young Nigerians can graduate with hope rather than repayment burdens. Education should open doors, not mortgage the future,” Shaibu said.

The proposal comes as NELFUND has become one of the major education policies of the Tinubu administration and a significant issue in the emerging policy debate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The current student-loan framework was established under the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2024, which replaced the earlier student-loan law and expanded the mechanism for providing financial assistance to Nigerian students in tertiary institutions and vocational and skills-acquisition programmes.

NELFUND was created to administer the loans and provide financial support to eligible Nigerian students for institutional charges and other approved education-related expenses.

The programme is designed as an interest-free student loan scheme, with repayment obligations beginning after beneficiaries complete their studies and the applicable grace period.

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Under the existing framework, beneficiaries are expected to repay their loans after the specified repayment period. The system also provides mechanisms for recovering outstanding debts from beneficiaries who fail to meet their repayment obligations.

The expansion of NELFUND has made the programme an increasingly important component of the Federal Government’s education policy, with a growing number of students receiving financial assistance for tuition, institutional charges and upkeep.

President Tinubu has repeatedly presented the scheme as one of the major initiatives of his administration aimed at removing financial barriers to higher education and expanding access for students from different economic backgrounds.

However, Atiku’s camp has rejected the argument that the availability of loans necessarily means that education has become more affordable.

Shaibu argued that providing loans should not be presented as evidence of affordability when students and their families are already struggling with higher tuition fees and increased living expenses.

“Celebrating NELFUND as proof that education has become affordable under your government is like setting school fees on fire and then boasting that you lent students a bucket of water. What exactly is the wisdom in presiding over dramatic increases in school fees in some institutions, only to turn around and celebrate loans as the solution?” he queried.

The Atiku camp described the policy approach as “witchcraft economics”, arguing that government should not increase the financial pressure on students and subsequently offer loans as a remedy.

“You make education more expensive, lend students money to survive the increase, and then demand applause for the rescue. That is not affordability. It is witchcraft economics: create the burden with one hand, offer debt with the other, and demand applause for the intervention,” Shaibu said.

According to him, Atiku has reviewed the existing student-loan framework and believes young Nigerians should not be forced to begin their working lives with significant education-related debts.

“The good news for Nigerian students is that Atiku has reviewed the current student-loan policy,” Shaibu said.

He added that Atiku’s proposed approach would reduce the underlying cost of education and, following a review of the existing system, provide forgiveness for qualifying student debts.

The proposal is therefore not being presented as an automatic cancellation of every outstanding NELFUND loan. Rather, Atiku’s camp has specifically referred to qualifying debts, suggesting that eligibility conditions would be established under the proposed policy.

Shaibu maintained that the distinction between a student loan and a scholarship should remain clear, arguing that a loan creates a financial obligation for the beneficiary while a scholarship does not carry the same repayment burden.

He said the success of an education policy should instead be measured by whether ordinary Nigerian families can afford to keep their children in school without being forced into borrowing.

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“A student loan is not a scholarship. It is a liability,” Shaibu said.

He argued that government should not “parade the loan itself as evidence that the system is working” when the rising cost of education has placed additional pressure on students and their families.

According to Shaibu, Atiku’s proposed education policy would seek to ensure that young Nigerians graduate with greater opportunities rather than substantial financial liabilities.

“Education should open doors, not mortgage the future,” he said.

The political disagreement has also expanded into the wider debate over energy costs, fuel prices and the purchasing power of Nigerian workers.

Shaibu accused the Presidency of attempting to create fear among students and workers over Atiku’s proposal to reduce energy costs through an intervention involving Nigerian crude supplied for domestic refining.

He challenged the Federal Government to publish its calculations showing how Atiku’s proposed energy policy would affect NELFUND funding, workers’ salaries and other government programmes.

“If your government has the arithmetic, Bola, publish it. Show Nigerians, line by line, how a transparently budgeted subsidy tied to Nigerian crude and domestic refining suddenly empties NELFUND or workers’ pay packets,” he demanded.

Shaibu said Atiku’s energy proposal would instead seek to ease the cost of living by reducing energy and transportation expenses.

“Reduce the cost of energy so that salaries buy more. Reduce transport costs so that less of a worker’s wage disappears merely getting to work,” he said.

He argued that lower energy costs could help households retain more of their income and reduce some of the financial pressures affecting students and their families.

The Atiku camp further argued that the rising cost of transportation, food, accommodation and other basic needs has made it increasingly difficult for families to finance higher education without borrowing.

Shaibu therefore maintained that government should address the underlying causes of financial hardship rather than simply provide loans to help Nigerians cope with the consequences.

“You cannot make life painfully expensive, push students towards debt to survive the consequences, and then frighten those same students that cheaper fuel will take their loans away,” he declared.

The controversy highlights a broader policy difference between the Tinubu administration’s NELFUND model and Atiku’s proposed approach.

While the Federal Government presents NELFUND as a mechanism for expanding access to higher education by providing financial assistance to students who may otherwise struggle to pay for their studies, Atiku’s camp argues that the government should focus more heavily on reducing the cost of education itself.

Atiku is also proposing a review of the existing loan framework and debt forgiveness for beneficiaries who meet conditions that would be determined under the proposed policy.

The proposal could become a significant issue in the 2027 presidential election campaign, particularly as political parties seek to attract students, young graduates and families facing increasing education and living costs.

However, Atiku’s camp has yet to provide a detailed implementation framework explaining exactly which NELFUND beneficiaries would qualify for debt forgiveness, how much debt would be cancelled, the criteria that would be used to determine eligibility or the estimated cost of the proposed programme.

Those details are likely to come under increased scrutiny as the 2027 election campaign progresses and rival political parties present competing economic and education policies.

For now, Atiku’s position is that Nigeria should move beyond simply giving students loans and instead reduce the underlying cost of education, review the existing NELFUND policy and provide debt forgiveness for qualifying beneficiaries.

The proposal puts student loans, education affordability and debt forgiveness firmly on the political agenda ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with Atiku positioning his proposed policy as an alternative to the current approach of financing higher education through repayable loans.

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2027: Atiku vows to review NELFUND, forgive qualifying student loans

Related Topics:Atiku Featured NELFUND Student loans

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NDA Releases 78th Regular Combatant Course Admission List, Sets Reporting Date

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JAMB, WAEC introduce one-off ₦4,000 WASSCE result verification for admission seekers

Education

NDA Releases 78th Regular Combatant Course Admission List, Sets Reporting Date

Published

38 seconds ago

September 2, 2026

Trends Admin

Nigerian Defence Academy

NDA Releases 78th Regular Combatant Course Admission List, Sets Reporting Date

The Nigerian Defence Academy warns successful candidates to report by September 14 or forfeit admission, as reserve candidates may be contacted later.

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has officially released the admission list for the 78th Regular Combatant Course (78RC), containing the names of successful and reserve candidates selected for admission into the prestigious military institution. The announcement follows the conclusion of the Armed Forces Selection Board exercise, which was conducted from July 4 to August 19, 2026. The Academy announced the admission list in a statement signed by its Registrar, Brigadier General OA Ogunleye, and published on its official X handle on Wednesday. The comprehensive roster of admitted candidates has also been uploaded to the Academy’s official portal.

Successful candidates are required to report to the NDA Ribadu Campus (Old Site), Kaduna, on Saturday, September 12, 2026, where they will be received at the Drill Shed, Ribadu Cantonment. The Academy has issued a strict warning that any candidate who fails to complete reporting by Monday, September 14, 2026, “will forfeit his or her place.” Candidates placed on the reserve list are not required to report at this stage. The NDA stated that they “may be called as the need arises through their registered e-mails and phone numbers.” This allows the Academy to fill any vacancies that may emerge before the commencement of training.

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The Academy has clarified the legal status of incoming trainees, emphasizing that cadets, upon admission into the NDA, are full-time students and not employees in training. The institution stated explicitly that cadets cannot claim any form of employment rights or compensation against the institution or the Federal Government of Nigeria should they be withdrawn or dismissed before commissioning as military officers.

Admitted candidates must arrive with original copies of their academic and personal documents. The NDA has stressed that photocopies will not be accepted, and “any candidate who fails to present originals of the stated documents will not be accepted into the Academy.” The required documents include the First School Leaving Certificate, Primary School Testimonial, WAEC/NECO results, Senior Secondary School Testimonial, Birth Certificate or Declaration of Age, Letter of State of Origin, and the original copy of the duly endorsed Parent/Guardian Consent Form.

The NDA has also directed successful candidates to report with specified clothing, footwear, sportswear, bedding and other personal items required for training. These include black and white trousers, a dark-coloured lounge suit, national dress, black cover shoes, white and brown canvas shoes, football boots, a hockey stick, white shirts, socks, bed sheets and a pressing iron. Female candidates are additionally required to bring black low-heel cover shoes, dark-coloured lounge skirts, black or blue short tights and trouser suits.

Before reporting to the Academy, all selected candidates must upload their O’Level results on the JAMB portal and accept their admission through the JAMB Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). Candidates who were not offered their preferred academic department have been directed to use the JAMB portal to make the necessary change. The NDA further warned that successful candidates will not be permitted to receive visitors or leave the Academy during their first three months of training. “Selected candidates and their parents are to please note the above for strict compliance,” the notice stated.

NDA Releases 78th Regular Combatant Course Admission List, Sets Reporting Date

Education

JAMB, WAEC introduce one-off ₦4,000 WASSCE result verification for admission seekers

Published

14 hours ago

September 1, 2026

Trends Admin

JAMB, WAEC introduce one-off ₦4,000 WASSCE result verification for admission seekers

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) have introduced a new one-off WASSCE O’Level result verification system for candidates seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.

Under the new arrangement, candidates whose admissions are regulated and coordinated by JAMB will only need to verify their WAEC results once through the JAMB-provided verification service.

The new system, which takes effect from September 1, 2026, is designed to reduce the financial and administrative burden associated with repeated verification of candidates’ academic credentials during the admission process.

JAMB and WAEC announced the arrangement in a joint statement following a series of meetings and consultations between the two organisations.

According to the examination bodies, the initiative is aimed at simplifying the Nigerian admission process, reducing unnecessary costs for candidates and ensuring the integrity and security of academic records.

Under the new arrangement, candidates will pay ₦4,000 only once for the verification of their WASSCE O’Level results.

The payment is to be made through the specified JAMB Verification Service platform and not through the tertiary institution where the candidate is seeking admission.

Once the verification has been successfully completed, the outcome will be made available by JAMB to the relevant institution for admission-related purposes.

The institutions are expected to use the verified WAEC results supplied through JAMB for admission screening, processing and other approved administrative purposes.

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Candidates who have successfully completed the verification will not be required to pay another verification fee for the same WASSCE result under the new arrangement.

WAEC has also authorised JAMB to share the outcome of the verification exercise with relevant tertiary institutions for the purposes outlined in the agreement.

The new system is expected to particularly benefit candidates who may be required to present their O’Level credentials to more than one institution during the admission process.

Rather than having candidates repeatedly verify the same WAEC result and pay separate charges, the verified result can now be shared through JAMB with the relevant institutions.

JAMB and WAEC said the arrangement would also reduce the stress associated with repeated visits to tertiary institutions and JAMB-approved Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.

Candidates can initiate the verification process from the comfort of their homes or any other location with internet access, making the process more convenient and accessible.

The development is part of JAMB’s broader efforts to expand digital services and streamline the verification and admission process.

JAMB recently introduced a direct O’Level result verification process that allows candidates to initiate the verification of their examination credentials remotely.

The system enables JAMB to verify candidates’ submitted results against records held by the relevant examination bodies, helping to improve the accuracy of admission records and reduce cases involving incorrect or unverifiable credentials.

The latest agreement with WAEC further strengthens the central role of JAMB in the verification of O’Level results used for admissions regulated by the Board.

However, the one-off verification arrangement does not remove other admission requirements that may be imposed by individual tertiary institutions.

Candidates must still meet the academic, screening and other requirements stipulated by the institutions to which they seek admission.

The policy specifically addresses the verification of WASSCE O’Level results for admission purposes and is intended to prevent candidates from being subjected to repeated verification of the same result.

JAMB and WAEC advised candidates to use only the approved verification platform and payment channels when completing the process.

Candidates are also advised to ensure that the examination information submitted for verification is accurate and corresponds with their official WAEC records.

The two bodies said the collaboration reflects their commitment to placing the interests of candidates at the centre of the admission process while maintaining the credibility and security of academic qualifications.

The initiative is expected to provide relief for thousands of 2026/2027 admission seekers who are currently completing admission and screening processes across Nigerian universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and other tertiary institutions.

For candidates, the key change is straightforward: instead of repeatedly paying institutions to verify the same WASSCE result, an eligible candidate will pay ₦4,000 once through JAMB, complete the verification and have the outcome made available to the relevant institution.

The JAMB-WAEC arrangement is therefore expected to make O’Level result verification faster, less expensive and less stressful while giving tertiary institutions access to a centralised verification outcome.

JAMB, WAEC introduce one-off ₦4,000 WASSCE result verification for admission seekers

Education

Adeleke explains two-year extension of UNIOSUN VC’s tenure

Published

1 day ago

September 1, 2026

Trends Admin

Osun State University (UNIOSUN) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye

Adeleke explains two-year extension of UNIOSUN VC’s tenure

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has explained his decision to extend the tenure of Osun State University (UNIOSUN) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, by two years, saying the move was aimed at ensuring administrative continuity, stability and effective governance at the institution.

Adeleke made the explanation on Monday while inaugurating the newly reconstituted UNIOSUN Governing Council at the Osun State Government House in Osogbo.

The governor said Adebooye had initially rejected the offer to remain in office for an additional two years but later accepted the extension after further consideration.

Adeleke said retaining the Vice-Chancellor was necessary to prevent an administrative vacuum and ensure that ongoing programmes and policies at the university were not disrupted during a period of leadership transition.

The governor also retained Professor Adewale Oladipo as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the university’s Governing Council, citing his experience and familiarity with the institution.

Oladipo previously chaired the dissolved council and was returned to the position as part of the restructuring of the university’s governing body.

The newly inaugurated council members include Alhaji Gbadegesin Lawal, Alhaji Lateef Olalekan Olayanju, Mr Akinola Franklin Omoniyi, Chief Funminiyi Awotide, Mr Orija Samuel Adebayo, Mrs Adewale Adetayo Bola and Mrs Olawale Oludayo Abolade.

Adeleke urged the council members to discharge their responsibilities with humility, integrity, courage and commitment to the public interest.

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He particularly warned against creating competing centres of authority within the university, charging the Governing Council and management to work together in accordance with their respective legal responsibilities.

“I charge you to work harmoniously with the Vice-Chancellor and management,” Adeleke said, stressing that the council and management should not operate as competing centres of authority.

The governor further urged the council to respect the statutory responsibilities of university management while providing the necessary oversight required to promote institutional development.

According to Adeleke, cooperation and mutual respect between the Governing Council and the university management are essential to maintaining stability and advancing the institution’s objectives.

He described UNIOSUN as “one of the enduring investments of the people of Osun State”, noting that the university’s academic and research activities contribute to the economic, social and intellectual development of the state and Nigeria.

The governor charged the council to consolidate the progress already recorded by the university and support initiatives that would further improve its academic standing, research capacity and infrastructure.

Speaking at the inauguration, Oladipo expressed appreciation to Adeleke for retaining him as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman.

He attributed the governor’s decision partly to the achievements recorded by the previous council and pledged that the reconstituted body would build on those accomplishments.

Oladipo said the council would work with the university management and other stakeholders to further strengthen the institution and pursue its development objectives.

Adebooye, in his remarks, also thanked Adeleke, members of the Osun State Executive Council and the newly inaugurated Governing Council for their support.

The Vice-Chancellor pledged that the university management would continue to collaborate with the council and other stakeholders to sustain the institution’s growth.

He also reaffirmed UNIOSUN’s ambition of becoming one of the leading universities in Africa, with continued emphasis on academic excellence, research and institutional development.

Adebooye’s tenure extension comes against the backdrop of several recent developments at the university.

In July, Adeleke inaugurated a number of projects at UNIOSUN, including a sports complex, three-in-one laboratory complex, 500-capacity lecture theatre and 750-capacity lecture theatre, as part of efforts to improve facilities at the institution.

The governor also installed Victoria Adunola Samson, founder of BOVAS Oil and Gas, as the university’s new Chancellor, following the completion of the tenure of former Chancellor Folorunso Alakija.

The leadership changes are expected to provide a period of greater continuity as the university implements its academic, infrastructural and research programmes.

Adebooye became the university’s fourth substantive Vice-Chancellor in 2022, and his extended tenure will now run for another two years.

The reconstituted Governing Council is expected to provide strategic oversight while working with the Vice-Chancellor and management on the institution’s long-term development.

Adeleke’s decision to retain both the Vice-Chancellor and the Pro-Chancellor also signals an emphasis on institutional continuity at a time when the university is implementing several development initiatives.

The governor’s central message to the new council was that good university governance requires cooperation rather than rivalry between the governing body and management.

The administration will therefore expect the council to provide effective oversight while allowing the university’s management to perform its statutory functions without unnecessary interference.

With the new council formally inaugurated and Adebooye’s tenure extended, attention will now shift to the implementation of UNIOSUN’s development plans and the institution’s efforts to strengthen its position within Nigeria’s higher education sector.