The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC has joined forces with the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, and other agencies to ensure the country’s student loan programme is transparent, inclusive, and free from fraud.
This was the focus of a stakeholder meeting held recently in Abuja to discuss system automation and loan application processes.
Speaking at the event, NELFUND Managing Director, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, said the agency is committed to building public trust through transparency and accountability. He noted that the Fund’s goal is to expand access to higher education and make sure students who truly need support benefit from the scheme.
“Our mission is to put students first while maintaining credibility and reducing risks,” he said.
The workshop identified three major risk areas—sustainability, reputation, and financial integrity—and NELFUND said it has developed a fully automated system to tackle them.
The platform allows students to create secure profiles, which are verified by their schools in real time, ensuring only qualified applicants are approved.
ICPC and other stakeholders are expected to work closely with NELFUND to monitor the scheme through joint audits, monthly updates, and real-time risk checks. They also plan to launch whistleblower systems and awareness campaigns to educate the public on how the loan system works.
In his presentation, Executive Director of Operations, Mr. Iyal Mustapha, said it was important to keep the programme clean and effective, while the Director of Finance, Dr. Fred Akinfala, stressed the role of teamwork in achieving financial transparency.
The session was attended by representatives from anti-corruption agencies, the armed forces, police, customs, and other key government bodies.
