Posted by Chinenye on Wed 30th Sep, 2026 - tori.ng
Dino Melaye has criticised the NELFUND student loan scheme, questioning the ₦20,000 monthly upkeep money given to students.
(Bayo Onanuga. Photo by TheCable)
President Bola Tinubu's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has hit back at former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye over what he called lies about the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND.
Onanuga wondered what Melaye had smoked before saying the scheme gives students only 20,000 naira a year.
In a video circulating online, Melaye claimed NELFUND gives students just 20,000 naira instead of paying their school fees.
The ADC chieftain called the student loan scheme under the Tinubu administration a haven of corruption.
He also asked how such an amount could cover school fees or other costs in public tertiary institutions.
The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, rebuked Melaye over the claims.
The group called him a comedian and a jester and asked if people still take him seriously.
It said he should not be the one speaking on education policy, noting that he was a member of the 8th Senate and close to the Senate President.
NANS asked what his policy on education was and what he did for students in his constituency.
It also challenged him to say if he has ever given even 5,000 naira in scholarships or bursaries to students there.
Backing NANS, Onanuga posted on social media that the NANS President had delivered a stinging rebuke to Melaye over what he called a brazen lie.
He added that one wonders what the former senator and Atiku campaigner had smoked before going on TV.