A public disagreement over Nigeria's student loan policy has intensified after activist Omoyele Sowore described the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) scheme as unnecessary, drawing pushback from academics, policy observers, and a top graduating student whose education it directly supported.

Sowore, in a post on X, argued that Nigerian students should not depend on loans to access education, questioning why students should borrow when political leaders do not rely on loans for personal needs. He described the scheme as "a trap, not a solution."

The remarks sparked immediate reaction, with contributors offering contrasting views on the role of student financing in Nigeria's education system.

Femi Yekinni disagreed with Sowore's position, noting that no country offers completely free tertiary education and that structured loan systems have supported millions of students globally. Ayo Adebamowo similarly argued that Nigerian students cannot be excluded from funding models used in advanced economies if they are to remain competitive.

Some voices, however, echoed concerns about fairness, suggesting that high performing students should be prioritised for scholarships rather than loans, particularly given the economic pressures already facing Nigerian families.

The debate gained sharper focus following a post by Caleb Olugbenga Oladepo, the best graduating student of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, who credited NELFUND support for enabling his academic journey. Oladepo, who graduated with a first class degree and a cumulative grade point average of 4.89, publicly acknowledged that the loan scheme made it possible for him to complete his studies.

Respondents also pointed to global precedent, noting that student loan systems are widely used in countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom, and that Nigeria's approach aligns with established international practice.

The Federal Government has positioned NELFUND as a key intervention to support students who would otherwise be unable to fund their education. The growing public discourse, however, suggests that questions around the scheme's structure, impact, and long term sustainability remain unresolved among stakeholders.