By Atoyebi Nike
The Provost of Harvarde College of Science and Management Studies, Obada, Abeokuta, Dr. Oluwatosin Adebayo, has opposed growing calls for the extension of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to students in private tertiary institutions, arguing that such a move is unnecessary and misdirected.
Speaking during a media tour of the school’s facilities on Wednesday, Dr. Adebayo maintained that most parents whose children attend private universities or colleges in Nigeria are financially well-off and unlikely to require public-funded student loans.
“The poor people won’t send their children to where they are paying as much as N6 million in tuition. These are wealthy families,” he said.
“Rather than agitating for student loans, private institutions should be included in Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund) interventions for infrastructural development.”
He added that the federal government should ensure transparency in NELFUND disbursement by allowing direct payment to verified students, once their institutions confirm eligibility.
Polytechnics to Offer ND in Law
Dr. Adebayo also commended the federal government for approving National Diploma (ND) in Law for polytechnics. He described it as a major win for technical education, especially for Nigerians interested in legal studies for personal development rather than professional practice.
“Some people just want to study law, not necessarily to become lawyers. This ND in Law offers them a structured, accessible opportunity to do that,” he noted.
He confirmed that three polytechnics, including Kwara Polytechnic, have received regulatory approval to run the ND Law programme, and Harvarde College is awaiting its own approval from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
On Past Programme Controversy
Addressing past controversies surrounding unapproved programmes, particularly in nursing and law, Dr. Adebayo explained that the matter stemmed from “bad elements” and that the institution had since ceased running those programmes. He confirmed that the college has reapplied and is working closely with regulators to reinstate them through proper channels.
“We’ve moved past that crisis and are focused on ensuring full compliance with the NBTE,” he said.
He further listed accredited programmes currently offered at the college, including Accountancy, Public Administration, Software Engineering, Banking and Finance, Business Administration, Crime Management, among others.
Commitment to Educational Excellence
Dr. Adebayo highlighted ongoing investments in infrastructure, academic staff development, and modern teaching aids, reaffirming Harvarde’s commitment to providing quality education.
He called on the media to continue supporting educational institutions, helping them fulfill their mandate of training competent and ethical manpower for national development.
“We must stay focused on quality and integrity in education. This is the only way to secure Nigeria’s future,” he concluded.
