CAPPA Warns Against Discriminatory Student Loan Policy
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has raised alarm over proposed changes to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) that prioritise students in “practical” fields like engineering and medicine while sidelining disciplines such as language studies.
The Managing Director of NELFUND Akintunde Sawyer, had during a recent Student Loan Masterclass, revealed plans to direct loans towards courses with perceived higher economic value and exportable skills, arguing that fields like humanities contribute less to national development.
In a statement, CAPPA condemned the proposal as discriminatory and a betrayal of the Fund’s mandate to provide equitable access to higher education. “This policy risks deepening inequalities and marginalising students in the humanities and social sciences,” said CAPPA Senior Programme Manager Zikora Ibeh.
CAPPA further criticised the focus on “marketable” courses amid surging tuition fees and Nigeria’s high unemployment rates, questioning the rationale of restricting intellectual freedom in a struggling economy.
The organisation called for a rethink, urging the government to prioritise education funding, vocational training, and holistic national development. “Nigeria needs an inclusive vision that values all fields of study,” CAPPA stressed.
