Many Nigerians may not have known about Mr. Akintunde Oluwole Sawyerr until his appointment as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) on April 5, 2024.
Those who know 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.
Here are the things we know about the man, who will be managing 60 Billion allocated for Nigeria’s student loan scheme (in the 2024 budget):
Growing up
Born on October 6, 1964 in the United Kingdom, where he started his elementary education, he returned to Nigeria and enrolled at Igbobi College Lagos. He returned to the UK, where he completed his secondary education at the Royal Russell School and later proceeded to the University of London to study Chemistry, graduating with a BSc in Chemistry.
Working with global firms
Sawyerr’s career spanned more than three decades 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, he 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 (December 14, 2005).
By 2009, he had joined Saudi Arabia-based firm EBRAM Investment, taking the role of Director for Sub-Saharan Africa at the company.
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. Akintunde 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.
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.
Co-founder of AFGEAN
In 2012, 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 President of the African Development Bank).
The purpose of AFGEAN, among other things, is 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.
Pioneer head of Nigeria’s student loan fund
On April 5, 2024, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President Bola Tinubu on Media & Publicity announced a management team for a student loan agency (NELFUND) with Akintunde Sawyerr as the CEO and the MD.
He will be working alongside Jim Ovia as the Chairman NELFUND Board, Frederick Oluwafemi Akinfala as the Executive Director (Finance and Administration), and Mustapha Iyal as Executive Director in charge of Operations.
He promised to be transparent and accountable in the administration and allocation of the loan to deserving Nigerian undergraduate students.
Awards
On 6 October 20204, the NELFUND boss was honoured with and award of excellence, “Trailblazer in Educational Equity and Funding”, by Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), Nasarawa State University Chapter.
Join EdubaseNG WhatsApp Channel to get the latest education & student loan tips
Join our Telegram Channel to get the latest news about Student Loans & Education News.
Are you a stakeholder in education? You can become our guest writer. Write to us using our our email address here
