Expediency Of Safeguarding NELFUND Against Elitist Interference, by Isaac Asabor

If there is any aphorism that captures the benefits that are inherent in the acquisition of education, it is unarguably the one that is credited to the late sage, Dr. Nelson Mandela which says, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Unfortunately, despite the credibility and factuality that themaxim is characterized with, not everyone has been able to weaponize the opportunities that are inherent in the acquisition of education, particularly university education, as an African proverb says, “All fingers are not equal”. Given the foregoing proverbial backdrop, and without resort to whipping up sentiment in this context, this writer did not have the rare opportunity of passing out from secondary school, and straight to the university, and at the same spate to the labor market.

Rather, he left secondary school to Warri, Benin city, and then to Lagos in search of job, until he was fortunate to secure menial jobs that cut across being Sorter at a dry cleaning company, waiter, and later barman at a restaurant, and then as a security guard in a construction company, H.F.P. Engineering Limited, where he was variously outsourced to work for companies that were clients to the construction company. Given the foregoing backdrop, he seized the opportunity therein, studied for his G.C.E. to make up for his deficiencies in his subject combination, and headed straight to the University of Lagos as a part-time student where he graduated as a Mass Communicator, and simultaneously as a Chartered Public Relations practitioner under the auspices of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).

Considering the difficulties and inconveniences he experienced by studying for tests and examinations in generator rooms, and in most cases in uncompleted buildings by virtue of working in a construction company, there is no denying the fact that he understands firsthand the struggles faced by many young people seeking higher education in the face of not being sponsored by their parents or guardians.

Against the foregoing experiential backdrop, it is not an exaggeration to opine that the launch of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) in the council chamber of thestate House, Abuja by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday 17th July, 2024 is a significant step toward addressing the challenges faced by indigent youths, who, due to family circumstances, were unable to ride on roller coaster to acquire degrees and diplomas been offered by various tertiary institutions across the country.

Without any iota of exaggeration, low income students face unique financial challenges across tertiary institutions of various hues thereby making higher education seem out of reach. However, with the launch of NELFUND, there is no denying the fact that youths who are facing similar difficulties faced by this writer in the quest for university education now stand the chance of being helped.

Without a doubt, this initiative would truly benefit the poor and marginalized as President Bola Tinubu says the NELFUND will thrive on fairness and equity and promote inclusiveness by removing the financial barrier to higher education for Nigerian students.

The foregoing view is as the president, who launched the digital NELFUND disbursement exercise at the State House on Wednesday, assured that the provision of loans to students will encourage more people to seek knowledge, go for higher education, and become valuable contributors to national development.

“As I earlier said, my belief is that education is the greatest weapon against poverty. Without education, there is no vision; without education, there will be no development; without education, you cannot successfully conquer poverty, insecurity, and abuse in society.

“Education is that light at the end of the tunnel, and no matter how sluggish it moves, it will give you light and the hope you need. We are investing in it. We do not want to try ignorance as an alternative. We want education from the foundation to the topmost level.

“I am glad we are achieving it with NELFUND and that the leadership has accepted this responsibility, and they are working hard,’’ the president said.

President Tinubu commended the Chairman of the Fund, Jim Ovia, and the Managing Director, AkintundeSawyerr, for their efforts in driving the critical agency.

He expressed his determination to ensure the success of the Fund and the fulfilment of the dream of higher education by indigent Nigerian students.

“The tool is available, and the hope is here; genuine, and the commitment to inclusiveness is what democracy is all about. I am fulfilling one of my greatest promises of the campaign. We are building an inclusive society. You can find many ways around any opportunity, but you cannot find a way if you are not well-educated,’’ President Tinubu stated.

The President emphasized that education is an essential antidote to some of the challenges faced by the nation.

Against the foregoing backdrop, it is expedient to urge the federal government to safeguard the laudable scholar fund against elitist interference. The reason for the foregoing advice cannot be farfetched as the fund holds immense promise for students seeking higher education.

Therefore, its success hinges on preventing any undue influence or hijacking by powerful individuals. In fact, as this writer in this contextexplore the importance of safeguarding the fund from elitist interference, it is expedient to warn that elitism, which is the concentration of power and resources in the hands of a privileged few, poses a significant risk to NELFUND’s integrity.

Given the foregoing backdrop, we must remain vigilant as we have throughout Nigeria’s history been witnessing how well-connected individuals exploit public resources for personal gain. Therefore, it is incumbent on the federal government to break this cycle through the implementation of NELFUND.

Again, it is expedient to confess that the foregoing view arose from the fact that NELFUND’s leadership, including the Chairman Jim Ovia and Managing Director AkintundeSawyerr, must be held accountable given the fact that their commitment to fairness and transparency is paramount.

Therefore, to prevent elitist interference, it is germane in this context to propose that regular audits and public reporting would ensure transparency. In fact, any suspicious activity should be promptly investigated. Without a doubt, loan approvals should strictly adhere to merit, academic performance, and financial need. No exceptions.

Also in a similar vein, there is the need to educate students and the public about their rights under NELFUND, and in the same vein empower them to report any irregularities.

Conclusively put, it is not a misnomer to opine that NELFUND represents hope for countless students. Let us protect it from the clutches of elitism. By doing so, we honor the principles of equity and fairness, ensuring that every deserving student has a chance to thrive. Therefore, officials charged with the responsibilities of managing the fund; individually and collectively, should always have it at the back of their minds that education is our collective investment in a brighter future.