NELFUND, EFCC intensify probe into 34 institutions over alleged unpaid student refunds

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has intensified its investigation into 34 tertiary institutions over allegations that they failed to refund students whose tuition fees were paid twice under the Federal Government’s student loan scheme.

The probe, being conducted in collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), follows a growing number of complaints from students who claimed they had yet to receive refunds after paying their tuition fees before NELFUND later settled the same fees directly with their institutions.

Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, disclosed that the agency had constituted a five-member investigative team comprising operatives of the EFCC, internal auditors and other officials to examine the allegations and determine whether any financial misconduct or administrative lapses occurred.

According to Sawyerr, about 34 institutions are currently under close scrutiny as the agency seeks to ensure transparency, accountability and the protection of beneficiaries of the Federal Government’s education financing initiative.

He explained that the refund challenge resulted from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive that the student loan scheme should commence in the middle of an academic session rather than waiting for a new session.

Because the programme began after many institutions had already commenced registration, thousands of students paid their tuition fees from personal savings or borrowed funds to avoid missing academic deadlines while awaiting approval of their loan applications.

When the applications were eventually approved, NELFUND also paid the tuition fees directly to the institutions, resulting in duplicate payments.

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“What happened is that a lot of schools got double payment — some from the students and some from us,” Sawyerr explained.

He noted that institutions which received duplicate payments are responsible for refunding the affected students, stressing that the refund process falls outside NELFUND’s direct control.

“The refund process is entirely out of our hands. It is the recipient of the double payments that is obliged to make refunds to the students,” he said.

According to the NELFUND boss, delays in processing refunds have created financial difficulties for many students, especially those who borrowed money from relatives, friends or financial institutions to pay their tuition while waiting for their loans.

He disclosed that many affected students have submitted complaints not only to NELFUND but also to the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), prompting the agency to strengthen its collaboration with anti-corruption authorities.

Sawyerr, however, cautioned against assuming that all institutions deliberately withheld students’ refunds, noting that some schools lacked effective administrative procedures for processing reimbursements.

“Some have been very good at this. Others haven’t been so good at it. I reserve judgment on the intentionality around it because, for some of them, they just didn’t have the process to make refunds,” he said.

Although NELFUND lacks the statutory powers to compel institutions to refund students or prosecute erring officials, Sawyerr expressed confidence that the ongoing collaboration with the EFCC and other oversight agencies would strengthen accountability and ensure that affected students receive their money.

He also revealed that the agency is developing a token-based payment platform that would enable students to authorise tuition payments electronically before funds are transferred directly to their institutions.

According to him, the proposed digital system is designed to eliminate duplicate payments, improve transparency and reduce administrative bottlenecks associated with the current process.

Sawyerr explained that NELFUND deliberately chose not to pay loan funds directly into students’ bank accounts because doing so could expose the programme to the risk of diversion of funds meant for educational purposes.

The NELFUND Managing Director also expressed concern over tuition fee increases by some institutions following the introduction of the student loan scheme.

He disclosed that the agency had refused to honour payment requests from institutions that increased their fees beyond acceptable levels, insisting that public funds should not be used to encourage arbitrary tuition hikes.

As investigations continue, Sawyerr assured students that every reported irregularity would be thoroughly examined, adding that the agency routinely sets up investigative panels whenever concerns are raised in order to strengthen the integrity of the scheme.

The outcome of the ongoing investigation is expected to determine whether the delays in refunding students resulted from administrative shortcomings or deliberate misconduct by any of the affected institutions. It is also expected to shape future reforms aimed at improving the implementation of the student loan scheme, enhancing transparency and safeguarding the interests of Nigerian students.

NELFUND, EFCC intensify probe into 34 institutions over alleged unpaid student refunds

Winpart by CFAO, CFAO Solidarity Advance Child Welfare Through Bethesda Foundation Initiative

Winpart by CFAO, in collaboration with CFAO Solidarity, has reinforced its commitment to community development and social impact by supporting the Bethesda Child Support Foundation, a gesture aimed at expanding care, education and empowerment opportunities for vulnerable children while strengthening sustainable development initiatives across the communities where the CFAO Group operates.

The donation forms part of a broader corporate social responsibility initiative designed to support organisations making measurable differences in the lives of disadvantaged people.

Through the intervention, CFAO Solidarity and Winpart by CFAO presented €7,000 and ₦1 million to the Foundation to bolster its programmes focused on child care, protection, education and holistic development.

Speaking during the presentation ceremony, the Deputy Managing Director of CFAO Mobility Nigeria, Kunle Jaiyesimi, said the company believes business growth must be accompanied by meaningful contributions to society.

“At CFAO, we believe that business success must go hand in hand with social responsibility. Our support for the Bethesda Child Support Foundation reflects our commitment to backing initiatives that create meaningful and lasting impact in the lives of children and communities,” he said.

Jaiyesimi noted that the intervention aligns with the company’s broader vision of promoting sustainable community development through strategic partnerships with organisations delivering tangible social impact.

The project is one of several initiatives selected and funded by CFAO Solidarity, the Group’s employee-led solidarity programme, which supports impactful community projects across the countries and communities where CFAO operates. Working with credible partner organisations, the programme seeks to improve the lives of vulnerable populations while driving positive and lasting social change.

Also speaking at the event, the General Manager of Winpart by CFAO, Eric Fantodji, said the company was proud to support an organisation dedicated to giving vulnerable children hope and opportunities for a better future.

“The work being done by the Bethesda Child Support Foundation is truly inspiring. We are honoured to support a cause that provides care, hope and opportunities to children who deserve the chance to build brighter futures. Through CFAO Solidarity, we are proud to be part of a wider movement supporting impactful community projects across our areas of operation,” he said.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the Foundation, Olamide Adeleye expressed gratitude to Winpart by CFAO and CFAO Solidarity, describing the support as a significant boost to the Foundation’s mission.

“We are deeply grateful to Winpart by CFAO and CFAO Solidarity for their generosity and belief in our mission. This support will contribute significantly to the welfare, development, and empowerment of the children under our care,” she said.

The initiative further underscores CFAO’s commitment to sustainable development and community engagement, highlighting the value of partnerships between the private sector and social institutions in creating lasting benefits for vulnerable communities.

Through interventions such as this, CFAO Mobility Nigeria and CFAO Solidarity continue to strengthen their commitment to building resilient communities, supporting vulnerable groups and advancing inclusive, sustainable development across the regions where the CFAO Group operates.

Alausa: FG Adopts Triennial Learning Assessment to Tackle Learning Poverty

The Federal Government has announced that Nigeria will institutionalise the National Learning Assessment (NLA) every three years as part of a broader strategy to combat learning poverty, improve the quality of education, and strengthen evidence-based policymaking across the country.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed the development on Friday while monitoring the ongoing 2026 National Learning Assessment in selected public and private schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The minister visited Government Secondary School (GSS), Kuje; Junior Secondary School (JSS), Kuje Central; and Topaz Model School, Kuje, to assess the nationwide exercise, which is being conducted simultaneously across the 36 states and the FCT.

According to Alausa, the assessment covers pupils in Primary Three and Primary Five, as well as students in Junior Secondary School (JSS) Two and Senior Secondary School (SSS) Two. The exercise evaluates learners’ proficiency in literacy, numeracy, cognitive development, and other foundational competencies needed for academic success.

He said the Federal Government has resolved to make the National Learning Assessment a regular exercise every three years, noting that the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has been directed to begin making budgetary provisions for the programme from 2029.

According to the minister, the assessment will provide reliable national data to measure learning outcomes, identify gaps in teaching and learning, and guide policy reforms aimed at improving Nigeria’s education sector.

“The importance of learning assessment is that we need to know the quality of education we are providing to pupils and students at the primary, junior secondary and senior secondary levels and determine whether they are actually learning.

“It is a standard instrument that enables us to evaluate education outcomes across different school levels. The last assessment was conducted by UBEC in 2023, while the previous one was carried out by the Federal Ministry of Education in 2019. Going forward, it will be conducted every three years,” the minister said.

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Alausa noted that the initiative is a direct response to Nigeria’s persistent learning poverty, where many children struggle to read and understand age-appropriate texts by the age of 10.

He recalled that previous estimates indicated more than 42 million Nigerian children were affected by learning poverty, although the figures were based on earlier data. He expressed confidence that ongoing education reforms under the current administration would significantly improve learning outcomes nationwide.

“We need accurate data to benchmark literacy and numeracy levels and design targeted interventions that will improve learning outcomes across the country,” he added.

The minister also announced that the Federal Government has harmonised the different learning assessment models previously used by education agencies into a single National Learning Assessment framework.

According to him, the unified system will ensure consistency in data collection, enable meaningful comparison of learning outcomes over time, and support more effective planning, curriculum reforms, teacher development, and resource allocation. He explained that the initiative forms part of the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) and aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda on human capital development and education reform.

The ongoing 2026 exercise is Nigeria’s first nationwide National Learning Assessment conducted simultaneously across all states and the FCT after months of preparation involving the Federal Ministry of Education, UBEC, development partners, and education stakeholders.

The assessment is strictly diagnostic and is not an examination for promotion or certification. Instead, it is designed to generate credible national data on students’ learning achievements and help policymakers develop targeted interventions to improve educational outcomes. Learners are being assessed in English Language, Mathematics, Basic Science and Technology, Citizenship and Heritage Studies, alongside selected non-cognitive skills.

While commending private schools for expanding access to education and helping reduce the number of out-of-school children, Alausa stressed that stronger regulation remains necessary.

According to him, private schools must continue to meet minimum educational standards to ensure that quality learning is not compromised.

“Private schools have helped us keep many children in school. We need to encourage them, but we must also regulate them effectively and ensure they maintain the required standards,” he said.

The minister also praised the learning environment in both public and private schools visited during the inspection, describing the facilities as clean, conducive, and supportive of effective teaching and learning.

Education experts say institutionalising the National Learning Assessment is expected to provide government with consistent and credible data needed to measure progress, address learning gaps, and improve the overall quality of education in Nigeria.

Alausa: FG Adopts Triennial Learning Assessment to Tackle Learning Poverty