Atiku Makes Major Promise To Nigerian Students Ahead Of 2027

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has promised to review the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) policy if elected president in 2027.

Atiku also pledged to reduce the cost of education and introduce debt forgiveness for qualifying student loans as part of his proposed education reforms.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president was responding to criticism from President Bola Tinubu over his economic proposals ahead of the 2027 general election.

Shaibu said Atiku believes Nigerian students should not have to begin their careers burdened by significant education-related debt.

“The good news for Nigerian students is that Atiku has reviewed the current student-loan policy,” the statement said.

“His approach will reduce the underlying cost of education and, after review, provide forgiveness for qualifying student debts so that young Nigerians can graduate with hope rather than repayment burdens. Education should open doors, not mortgage the future.”

Shaibu criticised the current administration, accusing it of making education more expensive while providing loans to students to cope with the increased costs.

He argued that such an approach does not amount to making education affordable, describing it as a situation where government creates a financial burden, offers loans to address it and then expects praise for the intervention.

“A student loan is not a scholarship. It is a liability,” he said.

According to him, the effectiveness of an education policy should be measured by whether ordinary Nigerian families can educate their children without being forced into debt simply to keep them in school.

Shaibu maintained that Atiku’s proposed reforms would focus on reducing the financial burden on students and families while ensuring that access to education does not translate into long-term debt.