From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Northern Senators’ Forum has described the student loan scheme being implemented by the Nigerian Education Fund (NELFund) as an impactful national project that has restored hope and opportunity to indigent and non-indigent undergraduates in public tertiary institutions in Nigeria, particularly those in northern Nigeria.
The senators disclosed that over 16,000 students have already benefitted from the initiative, underscoring the scheme’s significance in increasing educational access for youths across Nigeria. The senators, in a letter to NELFund, thanked President Bola Tinubu, and the management of NELFund for their pivotal role and efficiency in implementing the national student loan scheme.
Chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum, Abdul’aziz Yar’adua, who signed the letter, also acknowledged the impactful strides of the scheme across tertiary institutions, particularly in northern Nigeria. He said the scheme, led by NELFund’s Chairman, Jim Ovia, and Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr, has gained traction, with students from institutions such as Bayero University Kano, University of Maiduguri, and Federal University Dutsin-Ma being prominent beneficiaries in the early stages.
The Forum thus called on the government to continue expanding educational access and opportunities, especially for northern youths, to foster socio-economic stability and employment opportunities. It commended NELFund’s management for their commitment to driving positive change and encouraged northern state governments to actively partner NELFund in awareness campaigns across tertiary institutions within their states.