The House of Representatives has launched an official investigation into accusations of fund misappropriation, regulatory violations, and unethical practices linked to the student loan scheme established by the Bola Tinubu-led administration.
Lawmakers cautioned that such issues could jeopardize one of Nigeria’s most crucial educational support initiatives.
During the opening session of the public hearing, Speaker of the House, Mr Tajudeen Abbas, affirmed the legislature’s resolve to prevent the student loan initiative from being undermined by administrative inefficiencies, weak oversight, or intentional misconduct.
Mr Abbas stated that public trust and the credibility of the programme are at risk, stressing that lawmakers would not remain passive while serious allegations were ignored.
The investigative hearing, organized jointly by the House Committees on Public Accounts and Students Loans, aims to examine allegations of delayed fund releases, lack of openness, and potential collusion among stakeholders involved in administering the loan scheme.
Mr Abbas called the investigation both a constitutional duty and an ethical obligation to safeguard the interests of young Nigerians who rely on the scheme to pursue higher education.
Referring to Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Mr Abbas reminded the audience that the National Assembly holds the legal authority to scrutinize the performance of any entity responsible for implementing its legislation.
He reiterated the investigation was not designed to target individuals unfairly, but rather to expose systemic failures, improve procedural efficiency, and reinforce transparency in the use of public resources.
“Our intention is not to witch-hunt but to guarantee that every naira meant for Nigerian students is spent responsibly and in an open manner.”
He praised the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), created under the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act of 2024, as a cornerstone of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Mr Abbas noted that so far, over 600,000 applications had been processed and more than N73 billion disbursed to students nationwide.
Despite these achievements, he warned that rising claims of fund mismanagement could derail what should be a groundbreaking educational support effort.
“This hearing is designed to verify the allegations, pinpoint procedural or institutional shortcomings, and propose corrective actions, including disciplinary measures if warranted.”
The Committee Chairman, Mr Ifeoluwa Ehindero acknowledged the student loan programme had revived hope for many Nigerian households and was already delivering measurable impact.
According to Mr Ehindero, by June 30, 2025, a total of N73.1 billion had been distributed to 366,247 students in federal and state tertiary institutions.
“Out of this sum, N38.26 billion was used for tuition, while N34.85 billion went toward upkeep support, benefitting students in more than 206 institutions.”
He commended Speaker Abbas for his leadership and dedication to openness, which had empowered the joint committee to establish a neutral platform focused on accountability and reform.
“Our mission is not punitive,” Mr Ehindero said, “We aim to enhance transparency, strengthen the disbursement framework, and ensure the scheme benefits all parties involved.”
In his remarks, Akintunde Sawyer, the Managing Director of NELFUND, reported the Fund had registered over 650,000 applicants and currently processes around 2,000 applications per day.
He clarified that every application is subjected to a verification process, and funds are disbursed directly to the applicants’ institutions upon approval.
The House Committees however resolved to hold additional hearings with regulatory bodies, key institutions, and students affected by the process, with the ultimate goal of rebuilding public trust in the student loan initiative.