Onanuga Fires Back At Melaye Over ₦20,000 NELFUND Claim, Questions His TV Appearance

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has criticised African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Dino Melaye over comments concerning the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and its student upkeep payments.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Melaye, in a video circulating online, questioned the operation of NELFUND and described the agency as a potential haven for corruption. He also raised concerns about the ₦20,000 monthly upkeep allowance provided to eligible student beneficiaries under the federal government’s student loan programme.

The former senator questioned whether the amount could adequately cover students’ educational expenses, particularly tuition and other costs associated with attending government-owned tertiary institutions. He also challenged the description of the programme as one designed to support students with school fees.

NELFUND’s official information, however, describes the student-loan programme as providing support for institutional charges and upkeep, with the upkeep component paid directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts. Its website also references ₦20,000 monthly upkeep payments received by students.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) subsequently reacted to Melaye’s comments in a video shared by Onanuga on social media. The student body criticised the former lawmaker and questioned his record on education-related interventions during his time in the Senate.

NANS also challenged Melaye to highlight scholarships or bursaries he had provided to students in his constituency while serving as a federal lawmaker.

Reacting to the controversy, Onanuga accused Melaye of incorrectly claiming that NELFUND pays students only ₦20,000 annually. He further made a provocative remark questioning what Melaye had consumed before appearing on television to discuss the issue.

The exchange has generated fresh debate over the structure of the federal government’s student-loan programme, particularly the amount and frequency of upkeep payments available to beneficiaries. NELFUND states that its student-loan initiative is intended to help reduce financial barriers to higher education by covering institutional charges and upkeep for eligible students.