NELFUND Support Changing Lives As Pro-Chancellors Praise EFCC Chairman

The Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities in Nigeria (COPSUN) has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, for supporting the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

According to Bush Radio Academy, COPSUN Chairman, Prof. Ayodeji Omole, said the intervention through NELFUND had helped many students remain in school despite facing serious financial difficulties that could have forced them to discontinue their education.

Omole made the remarks on Thursday when members of the committee visited the headquarters of the anti-corruption agency, where he praised Olukoyede for his role in supporting the education loan scheme. He urged the EFCC to sustain its backing for NELFUND and called for deeper cooperation between the commission and state-owned universities.

The COPSUN chairman also proposed the establishment of EFCC institutes within universities to facilitate research, knowledge sharing and public education on the dangers of corruption and cybercrime. He noted that university lecturers could contribute their expertise to the commission’s research activities, while students could benefit from programmes designed to promote integrity and discourage criminal activities.

Omole stressed that the fight against corruption could not be handled by the EFCC alone, urging the commission to make greater use of the expertise available in Nigerian universities.

Responding, Olukoyede highlighted the importance of education to national development, maintaining that a country cannot make meaningful progress without a functional education system.

The EFCC chairman said the commission was particularly interested in guiding young Nigerians away from criminal activities by helping them understand the consequences of their actions and encouraging them to use their skills productively.

Olukoyede disclosed that the EFCC had established a Cyber Research Academy aimed at developing young people’s abilities in information and communication technology as well as research. He added that universities would eventually be incorporated into the initiative to expand opportunities for students and strengthen collaboration between the academic community and the anti-corruption agency.

The development comes after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed in August 2026 that additional funds recovered by the EFCC be channelled into NELFUND to help sustain the scheme’s increasing financial obligations.