By Clifford Ejenavi
INTRODUCTION
Mr. Akintunde Oluwole Sawyerr is the pioneer Managing Director (MD)/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). He was appointed the NELFUND boss on April 5, 2024 by the President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. On May 24, 2024, the student loan portal was officially launched in Abuja.
Not many Nigerians knew about Mr. Akintunde Oluwole Sawyerr until his appointment as MD/CEOf of the NELFUND. Those who knew him can vouch for him as someone who doesn’t compromise standard and accountability, having worked with several multinationals in different sectors such as logistics, agricultural development and healthcare.
Born on October 6, 1964 in the United Kingdom, Mr. Sawyerr started his elementary education in the UK before returning to Nigeria to enrol at Igbobi College Lagos. He later returned to the UK, where he completed his secondary education at the Royal Russell School and proceeded to the University of London to study Chemistry, graduating with a BSc in Chemistry.
EXPERIENCE AND PRIVATE SECTOR ACHIEVEMENTS
Mr. Sawyerr’s career spanned more than 30 years in logistics, consumer products, oil and gas. In 2007, he was in charge of operations in life sciences and healthcare, automotive and technology sectors of the market for DHL Supply Chain across 21 countries in North Africa, Middle East, and Turkey.
The company’s growth was tremendous during his stewardship in the Middle East, North America, and Turkey market.
Before the end of 2007, Mr. Sawyerr took charge as the Head of Supply Chain for London at DHL EXEL Supply Chain. He took this daunting role two years after DHL completed the acquisition of Exel Plc on December 14, 2005.
By 2009, he had joined Saudi Arabia-based firm, EBRAM Investment, taking the role of Director for Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2010, he was back in the logistics sector, joining Supply Chain and Logistics Group (SCLG) in the United Arab Emirates headquartered in Dubai as its International Advisor, where he provided strategic guidance to help the company in its membership expansion drive.
SCLG is a membership driven industry business group that engages in advancing supply chain & logistics industry UAE, Middle East zone, and globally. Mr. Sawyerr played a prominent role in increasing the membership of the logistics company; it currently has a membership base of more than 200 corporate organizations.
Mr. Sawyerr later joined Medtronic, a global leader in medical technology, services, and solutions, as the company’s Head of Sub Saharan Africa between 2013 to 2018.
In 2012, Mr. Sawyerr co-founded the Agricultural Fresh Produce Growers and Exporters Association of Nigeria (AFGEAN) with technical and moral support from Nigeria’s former President, Olusegun Obasanjo and the Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture at the time, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina (now outgoing President of the African Development Bank).
The purpose of AFGEAN, among other things, was to provide support to the overall Fruits and Vegetable sub-sector and to link the private sector with Nigeria’s government through the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
In the body’s vision to research, promote, develop and propagate an agricultural fresh produce industry and marketing in boosting Nigeria’s economy and the agro-sector, it has also partnered with Fluna, an African digital trade solutions company that supports African exporters and empowered more than 2000 farmers.
NELFUND IMPACT
In just twelve months, NELFUND has transformed access to education financing with over 600,000 students registered, and over 550,000 successful loan application. N56.85billion disbursed to cover tuition fees and provide upkeep allowances.
This achievement demonstrates the power of purposeful policy backed by strong execution. The student loan programme has brought relief to families, restored hope to students, and created a pathway for academic and professional success across Nigeria.
Speaking on the one year anniversary, Mr. Sawyerr said, “One year ago, we launched a promise to Nigerian students. Today, we’re proud to be delivering on that promise. NELFUND is more than a loan scheme, it’s a bridge to opportunity, equity, and national transformation.”
This milestone reflects a bold commitment by the Federal Government to empower Nigerian students by removing financial barriers to higher education.
CHALLENGES
According to NELFUND, like any large scale initiative, the Fund have encountered a few challenges. First, there’s still a gap in awareness. Many students either don’t know the application process or are unclear about who qualifies. Another major hurdle is the verification process. Aligning data between institutions and applicants can be time consuming and often slows down approvals.
NELFUND is also facing a technical challenge when it comes to disbursing funds: government payments currently can’t be processed to virtual bank accounts in many cases. This creates a bottleneck for students who use digital only banks. The Fund is engaging with the relevant authorities to find lasting solutions and ensure no eligible student is left behind.
AWARD
On October 6, 2024, Mr. Sawyerr was honoured with an award of excellence, “Trailblazer in Educational Equity and Funding”, by Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), Nasarawa State University Chapter.
CONCLUSION
Backed by the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the NELFUND initiative has quickly become one of the most impactful student focused interventions in Nigeria’s recent history.
Through continuous collaboration with institutions, state governments, and student bodies, the Fund remains committed to deepening its reach and improving the student loan experience.
As NELFUND looks to the future, it remains steadfast in its mission to ensure that no Nigerian student is denied education because of financial constraints.
