The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, on Thursday led a delegation to Senator Muntari Muhammad Dandutse in Abuja. A move to commiserate with him and constituents of Katsina South following the recent bandit attack in the state. The courtesy visit underscored NELFUND’s institutional solidarity with stakeholders in Nigeria’s tertiary–education ecosystem.
The attack Senator Dandutse’s constituency is grappling with occurred on August 19, 2025. Armed men stormed a mosque in Unguwan Mantau, Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State, leaving scores dead and injured, according to multiple reports from international and local media.
Senator Dandutse currently serves as Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, a portfolio that places him at the center of legislative oversight for higher education and research funding.
NELFUND’s management said the visit was aimed at expressing sympathy to families affected by the violence and reaffirming collaboration with the Senate Committee as institutions in the region work to maintain academic continuity amid insecurity pressures.
Delegation lineup
In a photograph from the visit (L–R):
- Mr. Nasir Ayitogo (Technical Assistant to the MD/CE);
- Mr. Saifullah Bello (Technical Assistant to the MD/CE);
- Mrs. Verity Chekwube (Senior Manager, ACTU);
- Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi (Director, Strategic Communications);
- Ms. Tosin Sanusi (Head, Investments);
- Senator Muntari Dandutse (Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund);
- Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr (MD/CE, NELFUND);
- Mr. Oyedeji Oyewole (Senior Manager, Procurement); and
- Mr. Olawale Ogunleye (Head, IT).
Background and key figures
The Katsina incident has drawn nationwide concern and fresh calls for tighter security coordination after reports put fatalities at at least 27 to around 50, reflecting evolving figures as authorities investigate.
NELFUND is the federal student-loan agency led by Akintunde Sawyerr, appointed in 2024 to operationalize the national student loan scheme.
Senator Muntari Dandutse represents Katsina South and chairs the Senate committee overseeing tertiary institutions and TETFund.