REPLICATE NELFUND MODEL TO END NEPOTISM, OYE TELLS FG

A public affairs commentator, Oye, has urged the Federal Government to replicate the operating model of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) across public institutions as part of efforts to tackle nepotism and promote fairness in the distribution of opportunities.

Oye argued that adopting transparent and clearly defined procedures similar to those used in administering student loans could help reduce undue influence and ensure that eligible Nigerians are assessed according to established criteria rather than personal connections.

The call comes amid persistent concerns about nepotism in public appointments, recruitment exercises, scholarship awards and access to government programmes. Critics have repeatedly argued that favouritism can undermine merit, weaken public institutions and deny qualified individuals opportunities because they lack influential connections.

NELFUND was established to provide financial assistance to eligible Nigerian students pursuing higher education. Its application-based approach is intended to make educational financing more accessible to students who meet the relevant requirements.

Oye believes that extending similar principles of transparency, standardised eligibility and accountable decision-making to other government programmes could help strengthen public confidence in the system.

He maintained that access to public opportunities should be based on clearly stated requirements and verifiable information, rather than political affiliation, family relationships or personal connections.

The proposed approach could be applied to areas such as public sector recruitment, training programmes, grants, scholarships and other government interventions. Such measures would require clear guidelines, reliable verification procedures and mechanisms through which applicants could challenge unfair decisions.

However, experts note that technology and application-based systems alone cannot eliminate nepotism without strong institutional oversight, independent audits and consequences for officials who manipulate established procedures.

The Federal Government has faced repeated calls to strengthen transparency and ensure that public resources and opportunities are distributed fairly across Nigeria’s diverse population.

Oye’s proposal therefore adds to the broader debate about institutional reform and the need to build a system in which merit, eligibility and accountability determine access to opportunities.

Implementing such a model across public institutions could help reduce favouritism, but its effectiveness would depend on consistent enforcement and a genuine commitment to equal treatment under the law.