Olusegun Dada, Special Adviser on Social Media to President Bola Tinubu, has strongly rejected claims made by African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Dino Melaye regarding the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

 

The exchange follows a viral video where Melaye, a former senator, criticized the administration's student loan initiative and called NELFUND a "haven for corruption."

 

### Dino Melaye Questioned Student Upkeep Allowance

 

In his video statement, Melaye targeted the **₦20,000 monthly upkeep allowance** provided to student beneficiaries under the federal scheme, arguing that the sum is inadequate to cover tuition costs at government-owned tertiary institutions.

 

> *"NELFUND is a haven of corruption. They are only giving students ₦20,000 each,"* Melaye claimed. *"Which government school takes ₦20,000 as annual school fees? Why is Tinubu claiming he’s paying students’ school fees when he’s giving them only ₦20,000?"*

 

### Presidency Clarifies Difference Between Tuition and Monthly Stipends

 

Responding via his official account on X (formerly Twitter), Olusegun Dada dismissed Melaye's remarks, stating that the former lawmaker failed to understand the dual structure of the NELFUND benefit system.

 

Dada clarified that the ₦20,000 figure represents a monthly living allowance paid directly to students, which is entirely separate from the institutional tuition fees disbursed directly to tertiary institutions on their behalf.

 

> *"Peak ignorance from Dino Melaye,"* Dada wrote. *"As usual, he is confusing himself and his gullible audience by equating the N20,000 per month allowance fee with the main fees students are supposed to pay each session."*

 

### Understanding the NELFUND Payment Structure

 

Under the Federal Government's NELFUND guidelines, student financing is split into two distinct components:

 

* **Institutional Fees (Tuition):** Paid directly to the beneficiary's university, polytechnic, or college of education to cover official session fees in full.

* **Monthly Upkeep Stipend:** Paid directly into the student's personal bank account to assist with living expenses, local transport, and basic needs throughout the academic term.

 

The presidential aide urged public figures to verify policy details before making public assessments of key social intervention programs.