President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has criticized former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye for his remarks about the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
Melaye, in a viral video, alleged that NELFUND provides students only ₦20,000 annually instead of covering their tuition fees.
He described the Federal Government’s student loan scheme as a “haven of corruption,” questioning how such an amount could meet institutional costs.
Responding, Onanuga dismissed the claim as false, posting on X that Melaye’s statement was a “brazen lie.” He quipped, “You wonder what this former Senator and Atiku campaigner had smoked before going on TV.”
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) also rebuked Melaye, calling him a “comedian” and questioning his record on education policy during his time in the Senate.
NANS argued that Melaye had not provided scholarships or bursaries to students in his constituency and should not be taken seriously on education matters.
The exchange has fueled debate over the credibility of the student loan scheme and the political rhetoric surrounding its implementation.