Atiku Vows to Review NELFUND, Forgive Qualifying Student Debts

Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has promised to review the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) programme and introduce debt forgiveness for students who meet the required conditions if elected in 2027.

Atiku made the position known through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, who was responding to comments by President Bola Tinubu about the student loan scheme.

Shaibu criticised the Federal Government’s presentation of NELFUND as evidence that education had become more affordable in Nigeria. He argued that rising education costs had placed greater financial pressure on families and students, making the availability of loans necessary in the first place.

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

According to him, Atiku believes that young Nigerians should not be forced to begin their working lives with heavy education debts. He said qualifying student loans would be considered for forgiveness after a review of the existing framework.

Shaibu said the ADC candidate’s education policy would seek to make it easier for families to keep their children in school without having to depend on borrowing.

He also rejected any comparison between student loans and scholarships, arguing that loans still leave beneficiaries with repayment obligations.

The former vice president’s camp also criticised the Federal Government’s response to Atiku’s proposal for measures aimed at reducing energy costs. Shaibu argued that lower energy and transportation costs would give workers and students greater purchasing power.

He challenged the presidency to provide details showing how Atiku’s proposed energy intervention, which is targeted at Nigerian crude supplied to domestic refineries, would affect NELFUND or workers’ salaries.

Shaibu maintained that the proposal was intended to reduce the cost of living rather than undermine existing government programmes.

He said cheaper energy and transportation would allow salaries to cover more expenses and reduce the financial pressure on students and their families.

Atiku’s proposed review of NELFUND is therefore being presented as part of a broader education policy focused on lowering the cost of schooling and reducing the debt burden on young Nigerians.