The Managing Director of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Dr Akintunde Sawyerr, has called on tertiary students across Nigeria’s North Central geo-political zone to take advantage of the Fund’s N303 billion disbursement to higher institutions.
Speaking on Friday at the “Renewed Hope Student Leaders Engagement and Digital Acceleration Programme” for the North Central Zone, held at the Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, Sawyerr revealed that the funds had been approved by President Bola Tinubu within the past two years. He disclosed that more than 850,000 Nigerians have so far benefited from the Federal Government’s student loan scheme, out of over one million applications received.
“No Student Should Be Left Roaming the Streets” — Sawyerr
Addressing participants, the NELFUND boss said the president had, for the first time in the country’s history, lifted the financial burden of tertiary education off the shoulders of parents and students, ensuring that no one is denied an education for lack of money or a sponsor.
“The president has recognised this, and he said we cannot let young people just be roaming around the street for any reason — not because they don’t want to learn, but because they don’t have money or didn’t come from rich homes. The president said that is not acceptable,” Sawyerr said.
He explained that NELFUND was established to guarantee that financial background would never stand between a Nigerian student and their education.
He also commended the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students Engagement, Asefon Sunday,
“You Don’t Need to Know Anybody” — Loan Process Fully Digital
Sawyerr urged North Central students to apply, stressing that the process is entirely digital and merit-based, with no need for personal connections or influence.
“President Bola Tinubu has made the money available; just make sure that you are qualified for it. The system he has allowed us to put in place is digital-based. If you want to get this loan, you don’t need to know anybody… you just have to go online and put in specific pieces of information that confirm that you are qualified,” he said.
FG Reaffirms Commitment to Youth Development
Representing the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, the Director of University Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr Kareem Lateef, said the student loan scheme underscored the Tinubu administration’s commitment to preparing young Nigerians for leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship and the digital economy.
In his remarks, Asefon Sunday charged student leaders to promote excellence, uphold integrity, encourage dialogue and foster peace within their institutions and communities, pledging his continued engagement with students across the country.
Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia, Professor Mohammed Kida, said the event reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to student development and engagement.
Participants at the programme were drawn from tertiary institutions across the North Central geo-political zone.
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