By ELAIGWU SOLOMON
June 25th, 2026.

The All Progressives Congress, popularly called APC, is one of the major political parties in Nigeria. It was formed in 2013 through a merger of several opposition parties that wanted to challenge the then-ruling PDP (People’s Democratic Party). The party was created by the merger of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), part of APGA and the nPDP faction of PDP politicians. The ultimate goal was to unite the opposition into one strong political force. APC became important when they made history in the 2015 Nigerian presidential election when its candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, defeated then-president Goodluck Jonathan.
That was the first time an opposition party peacefully defeated a ruling party in Nigeria’s democratic history.
Today, APC remains the ruling party in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

When the All Progressives Congress (APC) came into power in 2015, millions of Nigerians believed the party would bring major transformation to the country. Campaigning with the slogan “Change,” the APC promised to improve security, fight corruption, revive the economy, and provide better governance. These were their core reforms for the country, and over a decade later, opinions remain divided over whether those promises were fulfilled or not.

One of the strongest promises made by the APC was the fight against insecurity, especially Boko Haram insurgency in the north-eastern part of Nigeria. At the beginning of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the military recorded several victories against Boko Haram, reclaiming territories once controlled by bandits. Some kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls were also rescued during the administration.
However, despite these achievements, insecurity continued to spread across different parts of the country. Kidnapping, banditry, and attacks by armed groups increased in many northern states, while clashes between farmers and herders remained a challenge. Many Nigerians therefore believe the government only achieved partial success in the area of security.

The APC government also promised economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction. While the administration embarked on several infrastructure projects, including railway modernization, road construction, and bridge development, economic hardship continued to affect millions of Nigerians.
Nigeria experienced economic recessions during the APC administration, while inflation and unemployment rates rose significantly. The value of the naira weakened against foreign currencies, leading to increased prices of goods and services.

The recent removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in May 2023 further increased transportation costs and living expenses across the country. The policy was introduced to stop the drain on government budget and redirect funds to other sectors. In response, the government announced palliatives, CNG buses, and wage adjustments to cushion the effect on citizens. However, many citizens continue to struggle with the rising cost of food, transport, and other essentials. Although government officials insist the policy is necessary for long-term economic stability, the immediate impact shows change delivered in policy boldness, but delayed in relieving citizens.
Economic analysts say that despite visible infrastructural projects, the average Nigerian has not fully experienced the economic “change” promised during the 2015 campaigns.

The fight against corruption was another major pillar of APC’s campaign. During its tenure, anti-graft agencies such as the EFCC intensified investigations into corruption-related cases, while the whistleblower policy led to the recovery of some stolen public funds.
However, critics accused the government of selective justice, claiming that corruption allegations were pursued more aggressively against opposition figures than members of the ruling party. Several corruption scandals involving government officials also weakened public confidence in the anti-corruption campaign.
Political observers argue that although efforts were made to address corruption, the problem remains deeply rooted within the nation’s political system.

Now, infrastructure development is one of the promises that is majorly credited to the APC administration by political analysts. Significant projects such as the Lagos-Ibadan railway completed in 2021, the Second Niger Bridge commissioned in 2022, the Abuja-Kaduna rail line, and major highway constructions were completed and rapidly modernized. These projects improved connectivity and reduced travel time for Nigerians. However, other shortcomings such as maintenance challenges and slow progress on rural roads hindered this success.

Although APC is still in office till today, we journey towards the 2027 elections and there is a big question surrounding the future of APC, which is: Has the promised “change” since 2015 actually materialized?

Over a decade later, APC’s change can best be described as delayed and partial. Security improved against Boko Haram but threats like banditry and kidnapping continued . The fight against corruption began with recoveries and policies, yet selective justice claims weakened trust. Infrastructure grew with rail, bridges, and roads, but economic hardship and rising cost of living hit citizens hard. The promise of change started and some results are visible, but full delivery is still pending as Nigeria moves toward 2027.

By ELAIGWU SOLOMON wrote from University of Abuja

By Ibrahim Maryam Queen

For many Nigerian students, securing admission into a tertiary institution is only the beginning of another struggle—finding the money to stay in school. Rising tuition fees, accommodation costs and the increasing cost of living have made higher education difficult to afford for many families. In response to these challenges, the Federal Government introduced the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), a scheme intended to ensure that financial hardship does not prevent qualified students from completing their education.
The response has been remarkable. According to official NELFUND reports, more than one million students have applied for the loan, while hundreds of tertiary institutions have been onboarded onto the platform. These figures reflect not only the popularity of the programme but also the growing financial pressure faced by students across the country.
For one University of Abuja student, who requested anonymity, the loan meant the difference between remaining in school and dropping out.

“My father lost his job and my family could no longer afford my fees. I had already missed lectures, and I feared my education would end. The loan gave me another chance,” she said.

Her story illustrates the reality faced by many students. With household incomes under pressure and youth unemployment still a concern, financing higher education has become increasingly difficult. For many families, student loans provide immediate relief from a burden that might otherwise end a student’s academic journey.

However, the growing number of applications also raises important questions. If demand continues to increase, can the programme remain financially sustainable? While the scheme has attracted widespread interest, Nigeria has millions of students enrolled in tertiary institutions, suggesting that many eligible students may still not have access because of limited awareness, documentation challenges or difficulties with the application process.

Another concern is repayment. Although the loans are designed to ease financial barriers to education, their long-term success depends on graduates’ ability to secure stable employment. Where unemployment or underemployment persists, repayment may become difficult, potentially affecting the sustainability of the scheme. This suggests that student loans cannot be viewed in isolation from broader economic realities.

Experiences from other countries provide useful lessons. A 2017 study by Nicholas Barr, Bruce Chapman, Lorraine Dearden and Susan Dynarski of the Centre for Global Higher Education, University of Oxford, found that poorly designed repayment systems can place heavy financial burdens on graduates. Examining the United States student loan system, the researchers observed that decades of accumulated debt and repayment challenges underscored the importance of creating fair and sustainable loan policies. While Nigeria’s scheme differs from the American model, the study highlights the need for careful implementation and continuous review.

Transparency and public confidence will also determine whether the programme succeeds. Regular publication of data on applications, disbursements, beneficiaries and repayment performance will help strengthen accountability. At the same time, expanding awareness campaigns, particularly in underserved communities, could ensure that eligible students are not excluded simply because they lack information about the scheme.

NELFUND has already provided hope to many students who might otherwise have abandoned their education. Yet its long-term impact will depend not only on the number of loans disbursed but also on sound management, transparent administration and an economy capable of creating opportunities for graduates. Without these, even the most ambitious education financing programme may struggle to achieve its objectives.

Student loans are more than financial assistance; they are an investment in human capital and national development. Whether NELFUND ultimately becomes a lasting lifeline for Nigerian students or a test of sustainable higher education financing will depend on the choices made today by policymakers, institutions and all stakeholders responsible for its implementation.

Sources
Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Official Reports.
National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Labour Force Survey.
Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2024.
Barr, N., Chapman, B., Dearden, L., & Dynarski, S. (2017). Student Loan Design. Centre for Global Higher Education, University of Oxford.
Vanguard Newspaper.
Punch Newspaper.
Interview with an anonymous University of Abuja student (June 2026).

Ibrahim maryam queen
200level student of the department of Development and strategic communication university of Abuja.

BY: NDUBUISI MICHAEL SOMTOCHUKWU

In recent years, Artificial intelligence in Nigeria has rapidly shifted from the digital technologies concept talked about in the past to an everyday companion for students. AI has evolved past just helping students with their assignments and now is seen as capable of giving emotional support when needed. With AI tools such as chat GPT and Claude being able to interact with students, it has now become deeply integrated into their lives. While this shift is seen as an undeniable, beneficial way to help students, it also introduces an emerging concern often described as the term known as AI Delusion, the tendency to over rely on AI systems sometimes mistaking their human like understanding, empathy or authority. From a students perspective, this phenomenon is quietly changing relationships, mentorship and counseling in ways that are both empowering and potentially risky.

AI in academic fields has made communication faster and easier. Nigerian Students now use AI to draft messages, generate conversation ideas, and even simulate companionship through chatbots. For many, especially those who feel isolated or socially anxious, AI can feel like a safe space and non-judgmental, always available, and responsive. However, this convenience comes with a trade-off. Human relationships are built on emotional nuance, shared experiences, and mutual vulnerabilities, qualities AI cannot truly replicate. When students begin to substitute real interactions with AI conversations, they may unintentionally weaken their social skills and reduce meaningful human connections.

From a student’s point of view, the danger lies not in using AI, but in preferring it over people. This is where AI delusion begins: when a student starts believing that AI “understands” them better than their peers or family.

Traditionally, mentorship involves guidance from experienced individuals such as teachers, seniors, or professionals, who provide not just knowledge, but wisdom shaped by real life experiences. In Today’s society, AI tools are used to acquire quick answers, career advice, and academic support, making students prefer these tools over human experience, The speed and accessibility of AI tools is what students appreciate and for most students, it reduces the need to schedule appointments and prevents the fear and judgement students might face when making real connections, they delude themselves saying “it really gets me”.

Mentorship is more than information. A human mentor challenges assumptions, shares personal failures, and adapts guidance based on deep understanding of a student’s personality and context. AI, on the other hand, generates responses based on patterns, not lived experience.

AI in Nigeria offers privacy, immediacy, and a sense of safety. Students may feel more comfortable opening up to a machine than to a person, especially when dealing with stigma or fear of judgment. However, AI lacks true empathy and cannot fully understand complex emotional or psychological conditions. It also cannot replace trained professionals in handling serious mental health issues. From a student’s perspective, AI can feel “good enough,” especially in moments of distress. But relying solely on AI for emotional support can create a false sense of being understood—another form of AI delusion. It may delay seeking real help when it is truly needed

A practical example is being a student in Abuja or Lagos chats with AI every night about stress, school, or relationships. He or she soon Stops opening up to friends and Feels more “heard” by AI than by real people, Believing AI genuinely understands emotions better than humans.

AI is not entirely to blame as misuse and over-dependence when it t comes from the students, From the student’s perspective, the goal should be balance, not avoidance. There are practical ways to minimize delusion of AI,these ways consist of things like allowing it to assist learning and not replace critical thinking, prioritizing real conversations with friends, teachers, and family, combining AI insights with guidance from experienced individuals, and knowing when to seek health for serious emotional or mental health concerns, in summary consult professionals.

Nigeria is experiencing rapid AI adoption, with over 90% of users relying on it for complex tasks and extensive use of chatbots. This high engagement, without adequate local ethical frameworks or mental health support, increases the risk of negative psychological impact. Experts in Nigeria have raised alarms about students experiencing hallucinations, paranoia, and a distorted sense of reality after prolonged, immersive interactions with AI a phenomenon sometimes termed “AI psychosis”.

Other critics however, argue that calling it “AI delusion” exaggerates the issue. Students are not necessarily “deluded”; many are fully aware that AI is not human. Instead, they are simply adapting to a more efficient tool. According to some critics, It may be more accurate to describe the trend as behavioral dependence, not psychological confusion. Historically, similar fears were raised about calculators, the Internet, and smartphones—yet society adapted.

NDUBUISI MICHAEL SOMTOCHUKWU wrote from Department of strategic communications University of Abuja and can be reached at ndubuisimichael292@gmail.com