A former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Olufemi Bamiro, has expressed sadness and disappointment over the mishandling of the disbursement of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Bamiro said he almost cried when he read the story about the mismanagement of the loan.

There was a recent media report alleging that no fewer than 51 tertiary institutions were involved in illegal deductions and exploitation related to the NELFUND scheme.

In a chat with The Guardian in Ibadan, the former VC decried the development.

He lamented the quality of leadership in every facet of life in Nigeria.
Bamiro said: ”To run for some posts, I will recommend the minimum the person must have is to be a graduate; the person should be a solid graduate. There must be a minimum, because that is the only thing the young ones can see that will make them take their education seriously for them to enter political leadership.

”It is not only for political leadership but also for various positions. For various positions, there must be minimum requirements to get the right kind of people in leadership.

”Now, gradually, as a former VC, people are worried about the quality of people who are vice chancellors. And right so, that the system is now looking bad.

”I almost cried when I read that NELFUND is being mishandled by universities. The government is still trying to help some of these pupils, then a university messes up with it. It then means that when we talk about leadership, people always look at the political leaders, even the academic sector needs to change. I am not happy as a former vice chancellor reading about a university messing around with NETFUND. So, we have a lot of work to do”.