Minister: Tinubu allocates N90bn through NELFUND to support 400,000 students
Minister: Tinubu allocates N90bn through NELFUND to support 400,000 students
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, says President Bola Tinubu has committed over N90 billion to school fees and upkeep of 400,000 students across the nation’s tertiary institutions.
He said the President made the commitment through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund initiative.
Idris disclosed this when a platform of State Commissioners of Information, led by the Commissioner of Information and Internal Security of Borno, Prof. Usman Tar, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said the Nigerian Education Loan Fund initiative of the President has enabled over 400,000 Nigerian students to remain in school and study without financial challenges and burdens to their parents and guardians.
According to him, Tinubu’s vision is to ensure the holistic development, prosperity, and well-being of all Nigerians, irrespective of political party affiliation or religious backgrounds.
“The Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu has committed N90 billion to NELFUND. Tinubu’s vision is that, on no account, should a Nigerian child of school age be denied going to a tertiary institution.
“Therefore, this amount is not for school fees alone but also for upkeep of over 400,000 students across different tertiary institutions in the country.
“Nigeria under Tinubu is on the path to prosperity. This is my message to you. We are in government to serve the interests of all, irrespective of political parties.
“If you won’t listen to me because I was appointed by President Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, then remember that your children depend on NELFUND to remain in school,” Idris said.
He added, “Your people battling cancer also need treatment and will have to access the Cancer Screening and Treatment Centre/Oncology established by Tinubu.”
The Minister of Information stressed that President Tinubu’s commitment is to all Nigerians, regardless of political affiliation or religious background, noting that he serves as President for everyone.
Marking its first anniversary, the Fund disclosed that it had received over 550,000 loan applications since its launch on May 24, 2024.
The student loan initiative, being implemented under the Access to Higher Education Act, stands as one of President Tinubu’s flagship projects in the education sector. Its goal is to provide a legal framework for granting loans to indigent and low-income Nigerians, enabling them to pay tuition and other fees in tertiary institutions.
NAN
