NELFUND Representative Challenges Atiku To Provide Evidence Of Tinubu’s Tuition Fee Directive

NELFUND Representative Challenges Atiku to Provide Evidence of Tinubu’s Tuition Fee Directive A student representative on the Nigeria Education Loan Fund NELFUND Board, Umar Farouk Lawal, has challenged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to provide evidence supporting his claim that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered increases in tuition fees at Nigerian tertiary institutions. Lawal described the allegation as serious and called on Atiku to present documentary evidence showing that President Tinubu directed universities and other tertiary institutions to increase tuition fees. The NELFUND representative said the claim should not be made without verifiable evidence, particularly given the potential impact such statements could have on students and the wider public. Atiku, a prominent opposition figure and former presidential candidate, has previously criticised aspects of the Tinubu administration’s education policies and expressed concerns about the rising cost of education in Nigeria. Responding to the allegation, Lawal argued that tuition-setting decisions are not simply determined by the Federal Government, stressing the need to distinguish between government policies and decisions taken independently by individual institutions. He challenged Atiku to produce any official communication, directive or other evidence linking President Tinubu personally to tuition fee increases. The development comes amid continuing concerns over the affordability of tertiary education in Nigeria, with students and their families facing increasing financial pressures. NELFUND was established to provide financial assistance to eligible Nigerian students through education loans, with the Federal Government presenting the initiative as part of efforts to expand access to higher education and reduce financial barriers for students. Lawal’s challenge has added another dimension to the ongoing political debate over the cost of education and the policies of the Tinubu administration. He maintained that public officials and political leaders should support major claims with evidence to ensure that discussions surrounding education and students’ welfare remain factual and credible. The controversy comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition figures increasingly scrutinising the policies and record of the Tinubu administration.