Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has promised to review the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) policy and forgive debts for qualifying Nigerian students.
His Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said Atiku rejected President Bola Tinubu’s claim that NELFUND shows education has become more affordable under his administration.
Shaibu said Tinubu’s reference to NELFUND while responding to Atiku’s plan to reduce energy costs was “dishonest”. He accused the government of first increasing education costs before offering loans to students.
“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.
He called the policy “witchcraft economics” and said Atiku wants young Nigerians to graduate without education debt.
“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”, said Shaibu.
Shaibu also accused the presidency of using scare tactics over Atiku’s proposed energy intervention, insisting it would not affect NELFUND, salaries or the minimum wage.
