NELFUND is about national transformation, not loans alone – Sawyerr calls for integrity-driven education

The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, has emphasised the urgent need to fuse education with integrity to build a sustainable and equitable future for Nigeria.

He remarked while delivering the keynote address at the 2025 Gani Fawehinmi Impact and Integrity Award Lecture on Wednesday at the University of Lagos, Akoka.

The event, organised by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), celebrates transparency advocates and pays tribute to the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, a legal icon whose legacy continues to inspire activism, justice, and accountability.

“Education without integrity cannot build a sustainable society” — Sawyerr

In his speech, Sawyerr described Chief Gani Fawehinmi as “a man whose life personified integrity, courage, and unwavering commitment to justice,” adding that his legacy remains Nigeria’s moral compass.

He stressed that Nigeria cannot achieve meaningful development if education is disconnected from ethics.

“Education remains the most powerful tool for social transformation. But education without integrity cannot build a sustainable society.

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“Integrity gives education its moral value. It ensures that learning translates into service, innovation, and justice,” he said.

NELFUND’s digital transformation highlighted

Sawyerr outlined landmark reforms undertaken under his leadership at NELFUND, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s signing of the historic Student Loan Act into law.

He detailed how the institution has built a modern, technology-driven system designed to eliminate corruption, streamline processes, and prioritise beneficiaries.

According to him, “A fully digital loan management platform now ensures real-time processing and disbursement across all tertiary institutions. A strict data-integrity framework prevents fraud, duplication, and misuse.
Repayment models are income-based to ensure flexibility and sustainability.

“Financial inclusion efforts target students from low-income and underserved communities. Transparency and accountability remain the core operating principles.

“Every kobo disbursed must be traceable, every beneficiary verifiable, and every decision defensible. Our systems are designed to earn trust daily through openness, efficiency, and measurable outcomes,” Sawyerr emphasised.

Sawyerr noted that public scepticism towards government institutions is understandable, given past failures. However, he insisted that NELFUND is rewriting the narrative through credible operations.

He described each student supported by NELFUND as “a future innovator, teacher, doctor, or entrepreneur” whose success contributes to national growth.

“NELFUND is not just about student loans, it’s about national transformation through equitable access. The future we envision is one where no Nigerian child is denied education due to poverty,” he said.

The NELFUND chief called on public servants, leaders, and institutions to adopt integrity as a national culture, not an occasional virtue.

He added that Nigeria’s progress depends on trust, trust built through accountability and fairness.

“If we, as leaders, citizens, and institutions, can each uphold the standards of truth and fairness exemplified by Chief Gani Fawehinmi, then Nigeria’s future is secure,” he concluded.

Sawyerr reaffirmed NELFUND’s commitment to expanding partnerships with government, the private sector, and international development bodies to widen access and increase impact.