By Ogaga Ariemu
President Bola Tinubu has directed the management of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, to expand its focus area by extending interest-free loans to Nigerian students interested in skill development programmes.
According to Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, Tinubu issued this directive at the State House on Monday after a briefing from Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, Executive Secretary of NELFUND, on the build-up to the programme’s launch later in the month.
The President said it is essential for the scheme to accommodate those who may not want to pursue university education, noting that skill acquisition is as important as obtaining undergraduate and graduate academic qualifications.
“This is not an exclusive programme. It is catering to all of our young people. Young Nigerians are gifted in different areas. This is not only for those who want to be doctors, lawyers, and accountants. It is also for those who aspire to build our nation with their skilled and trained hands. By this, I have instructed NELFUND to explore all opportunities to teach skill-development programmes because not everybody wants to go through a full university education,” he said.
President Tinubu emphasised the need for equity and inclusivity in the management of the programme, stating: “No matter how economically challenged you are, accredited and qualified students will and must have access to this loan to advance their education in higher institutions. There is no compromise in our commitment to the disadvantaged citizens of this nation.”
In his presentation to the President, the Executive Secretary of the fund, Sawyerr, said the loan application process will be technology-driven, limiting human interface and “eliminating any possibility of maladministration in the programme.”
Said he: “By design, this is a perpetual programme and will not terminate. The funds, earmarked for bona fide Nigerian students, will be disbursed directly to the institutions in the initial phase through electronic transfer. Our students will be catered to in a way that bypasses human interference through the full utilisation of available technological platforms in adherence to Your Excellency’s stated objectives.”
He also said NELFUND has developed a robust risk-mitigation mechanism to address potential risks arising from the programme.
Speaking on the programme’s funding mechanism, Dr Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), said funding sources have been made available to ensure the smooth take off and sustenance of the programme.
“The President is permanently solving the problem of funding for education in Nigeria. By the directive of the President, the Education Tax Fund is being reviewed to additionally cater to the needs of our university students across all local government areas in the country as they seek to access vocational and traditional university education. Funding for the programme will be adequately covered,” he said.
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