The President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde, has strongly criticised former Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, over his recent comments on the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, describing the former lawmaker as a jester and a clown who should not be taken seriously on matters concerning student welfare.
Akinteye, in a statement issued on Monday, said Melaye’s remarks during a television appearance where he spoke about the student loan scheme were not only misleading but also calculated to embarrass himself and diminish his already questionable public image. The NANS President questioned why any serious-minded Nigerian would still pay attention to Melaye when it comes to issues affecting students in higher institutions.
According to the student leader, Dino Melaye has no moral standing to speak on behalf of Nigerian students or to critique government policies aimed at improving access to education, because his antecedents do not reflect genuine concern for the plight of students. He described Melaye’s intervention as opportunistic and lacking in substance, adding that the former senator was merely seeking public attention through controversial statements.
The NANS President dismissed Melaye’s claims against NELFUND as baseless and ill-informed, insisting that the student loan scheme remains one of the most impactful educational interventions introduced by the current administration. He explained that the fund has been designed to remove financial barriers that have prevented many indigent students from pursuing their academic dreams and to ensure that no Nigerian student drops out of school due to inability to pay tuition fees.
Akinteye further defended the policies of the Federal Government in the education sector, crediting the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with bringing unprecedented stability to tertiary education in the country. He noted that unlike previous years when university calendars were constantly disrupted by prolonged strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, the current academic environment has witnessed relative peace and continuity.
He pointed out that the relative industrial harmony in universities has allowed students to complete their academic programmes within record time, without the usual interruptions that used to extend their years on campus. The NANS President said this stability alone is a major achievement that should be acknowledged by all well-meaning Nigerians, including critics like Dino Melaye.
On the issue of the student loan scheme, Akinteye revealed that about 1.6 million Nigerian students have so far benefited from tuition loans under NELFUND, a figure he said clearly shows the wide reach and effectiveness of the programme. He said the scheme has provided succour to thousands of families who could not afford the rising cost of tertiary education, particularly in federal and state-owned institutions.
In addition to tuition support, the NANS President disclosed that the Federal Government has also commenced the payment of monthly stipends to students to cater for their upkeep and other academic expenses. He said this initiative has helped to reduce the financial burden on students and has discouraged many from engaging in social vices or dropping out of school due to economic hardship.
Akinteye said it was therefore unfair and mischievous for anyone, especially a former public office holder like Dino Melaye, to attempt to discredit a scheme that is already transforming the lives of Nigerian students. He argued that rather than condemn the programme, Melaye should commend the government for taking bold steps to address the funding challenges in the education sector.
The NANS leadership also revisited Melaye’s political conduct during the 2023 general elections, accusing him of misleading Nigerian students and using them for his personal political ambitions. According to Akinteye, Melaye, who was a key figure in the campaign organisation of a leading opposition party, made several promises to students which he never fulfilled and attempted to manipulate student structures for political gains.
He recalled that during the electioneering period, Melaye allegedly presented himself as a champion of student interests, only to abandon them after the elections and return to his usual political theatrics. The NANS President said such conduct has exposed Melaye as someone who does not genuinely care about students but only uses them when it suits his political calculations.
Akinteye urged Nigerian students across the country to disregard Melaye’s comments on NELFUND and to remain focused on taking advantage of the opportunities provided by the loan scheme and other student-friendly policies of the current administration. He said NANS as the umbrella body of students will continue to engage constructively with government to ensure that the interests of students are protected and promoted.
He also called on the management of NELFUND to intensify its public enlightenment campaign to ensure that more students, especially those in rural and underserved communities, are aware of the scheme and understand how to access it. He said proper information dissemination would help to counter false narratives and prevent misinformation from gaining traction among students.
The NANS President reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to support any policy that advances the welfare of Nigerian students and improves the quality of education in the country. He warned that the association will not hesitate to call out individuals or groups who attempt to politicise educational programmes or mislead students for selfish reasons.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the education sector have continued to react to the controversy, with many backing the position of NANS and urging former political office holders to verify their facts before making public statements on sensitive national policies like the student loan fund, which has direct impact on the future of millions of young Nigerians.
