The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, on Wednesday delivered a landmark presentation at the 2025 ICPC Management Retreat held at the Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar, Cross-River State.
Speaking on the theme “NELFUND and Its Relevance to Nigeria’s Anti-Corruption Mandate,” Mr. Sawyerr outlined the Fund’s transformative role in advancing public accountability, institutional transparency, and civic responsibility through sustainable education financing.
He began by stressing that NELFUND’s core mandate, which is providing equitable access to tertiary education through a fully digital, zero-interest loan system is inherently an anti-corruption strategy.
“When you eliminate discretion and paperwork and replace them with automation and transparency, you shut the door to corruption before it can even knock,” he said.
Highlighting NELFUND’s zero human interface policy, the MD explained that all processes, from application to disbursement are fully automated and data-driven, minimizing the risks of bribery, manipulation, or favoritism.
He said Real-time applicant monitoring and dashboard systems allow for user control and public oversight, reinforcing trust in government processes.
Mr. Sawyerr also described NELFUND’s grassroots engagement strategy as a key anti-corruption tool.
“With over 500,000 students already reached through comprehensive sensitization programs targeting parents, students, and school authorities, NELFUND is reducing the prevalence of misinformation and curbing fraudulent applications.
“Education financing isn’t just about affordability; it’s a gateway to civic discipline,” he said.
He outlined how NELFUND educates loan beneficiaries on repayment responsibilities, default implications, and the broader connection between integrity and national development.
He further emphasized NELFUND’s institutional structure as a replicable model for other government agencies, anchored on independent audits, public reporting, open feedback channels, and strong stakeholder partnerships with civil society organizations and technology partners.
Importantly, Mr. Sawyerr reaffirmed NELFUND’s alignment with the ICPC’s national anti-corruption strategy. “We are not only financing education, we are financing trust, citizenship, and the very integrity of our public service,” he stated.
The retreat, which convened ICPC’s top management led by its Chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu commended Mr. Sawyerr for presenting a practical, scalable approach to public sector reform rooted in transparency, technology, and trust.
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