The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has launched a significant initiative aimed at supporting students in tertiary institutions across the nation. With the mission of making quality education accessible, NELFUND has provided an interest-free loan program amounting to N280 million, specifically benefiting 3,000 students in Nasarawa State. This initiative highlights the commitment to alleviating financial pressures faced by students seeking higher education.
The interest-free loan program by NELFUND is designed to ensure that students can finance their education without the burden of high interest rates. This funding aims to create equal opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to pursue their academic goals. The loan is available to students who fulfill specific eligibility criteria, making it easier for them to access the funds they need.
A total of 12,000 students from Nasarawa State applied for the loan, with 3,000 applications successfully verified. During a recent ceremony in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, cheques were presented to these beneficiaries, marking a key milestone in the education support efforts. The Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, expressed pride in the program’s success and its positive impact on students’ futures.
During the presentation, Sawyerr emphasized the transparency of the loan application process and encouraged more students to take advantage of this opportunity. He acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s support for education in Nigeria and commended the efforts of the local Human Capital Development Agency, advocating for an emphasis on education as a cornerstone for national development.
The students who received the loans expressed gratitude for the assistance provided. Husseini Abubakar Eya, the National President of the Nasarawa State Students Association, pledged that students would commit serious effort to their studies to honor the support extended by NELFUND and the state government. This response exemplifies a collective commitment to leveraging the financial support for educational success.
The NELFUND initiative serves as a model for future educational support programs across Nigeria. By ensuring access to education for underserved populations, the program paves the way for enhanced human capital development and economic growth in the long run. As more students benefit from such programs, the prospect of a better-educated workforce becomes increasingly attainable, fostering national development.
