NELFUND MD/CEO, Akintunde Sawyerr, Receives Excellence Award from Arewa Female Students Association
AFSA Recognises His Contributions to Educational Transformation, Girl-Child Education and Youth Empowerment**
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, has received an Award of Excellence in Educational Transformation and Youth Empowerment from the Arewa Female Students Association (AFSA) in recognition of his leadership and contributions to expanding access to higher education in Nigeria.
The award was presented on Monday, October 12, 2026, during a courtesy visit by four AFSA members drawn from tertiary institutions across Northern Nigeria to the NELFUND headquarters in Abuja.
During the visit, the association commended NELFUND for its digitalised and transparent student loan system, which provides direct payment of institutional fees to eligible students’ institutions and monthly upkeep allowances to beneficiaries.
In its citation, AFSA highlighted the impact of the student loan scheme, referencing figures indicating that more than 1.2 million applications had been received and over ₦154 billion disbursed to 788,947 students across 262 institutions within the first 19 months of the programme.
The association also cited subsequent reports showing that disbursements had exceeded ₦174 billion, benefiting more than 800,000 students across 263 institutions.
AFSA further recognised Sawyerr’s position against arbitrary tuition fee increases and his insistence that institutions refund students who had paid their fees before the disbursement of their approved loans.
The association also acknowledged NELFUND’s sensitisation campaigns involving traditional rulers, state governments and tertiary institutions, particularly efforts to improve awareness of educational financing and promote girl-child education in Northern Nigeria.
Responding to the recognition, Sawyerr expressed appreciation to the association for the honour and commended its members for their interest in educational development and the advancement of female students.
He urged the students to remain focused on their academic pursuits, stressing that educating the girl-child remains essential to national development.
According to him, no girl should be denied access to education because of financial difficulties.
The NELFUND chief executive also encouraged the students to draw inspiration from accomplished women leaders, remain committed to their studies and aspire to leadership positions in their chosen professions.
He reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to expanding access to educational loans, particularly for female students in Northern Nigeria, to enable them to pursue and complete their studies without financial barriers.
As part of the engagement, AFSA proposed areas of collaboration with NELFUND, including expanded sensitisation campaigns for female students in tertiary institutions across Northern Nigeria, financial literacy programmes for loan beneficiaries, and internship and capacity-building opportunities for members of the association.
The association also called for special consideration and support for indigent female students and students with disabilities to promote inclusive access to higher education.
The proposed areas of collaboration are expected to provide opportunities for further engagement between NELFUND, AFSA and other relevant stakeholders in advancing educational access, financial awareness and youth development.
The recognition underscores the importance of collaboration between educational institutions, student organisations and government agencies in addressing financial barriers to higher education and ensuring that more Nigerian students have the opportunity to achieve their academic aspirations.
