Public reactions have trailed the decision by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to highlight its student loan initiative as a major achievement, amid rising tuition fees in federal universities.
The policy, implemented through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), was introduced in 2024 to provide interest-free loans covering tuition and living expenses. Reports indicate that over one million students have benefited from the scheme as of early 2026.
However, critics have taken to social media to question the policy’s impact, pointing to significant increases in tuition fees across federal institutions since 2023. In some cases, fees that previously ranged between ₦20,000 and ₦30,000 per session have reportedly risen to between ₦100,000 and ₦290,000, with institutions such as University of Lagos cited as charging up to ₦190,000 for certain programmes.
Supporters of the initiative argue that the loan scheme is helping students remain in school despite funding challenges and a history of disruptions in the education sector.
Meanwhile, NELFUND has acknowledged concerns over sharp fee increases, with reports suggesting hikes of up to 900 percent in some institutions.
The development has sparked broader debate over education reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, highlighting divisions over the balance between increased funding, accessibility, and affordability as political activities ahead of future elections intensify.
