Vice President Kashim Shettima has hailed the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as a major lifeline for students from poor families, saying the scheme is breaking financial barriers that have long denied many Nigerians the opportunity to pursue higher education. Shettima spoke on Wednesday when he received the management team of the University of Abuja, led […]
Vice President Kashim Shettima has hailed the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as a major lifeline for students from poor families, saying the scheme is breaking financial barriers that have long denied many Nigerians the opportunity to pursue higher education.
Shettima spoke on Wednesday when he received the management team of the University of Abuja, led by the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Hakeem Fawehinmi.
The Vice President said NELFUND, established by the Bola Tinubu administration, had become an important social programme aimed at reducing poverty and expanding educational opportunities for Nigerians.
According to him, the initiative has made it possible for students from less-privileged backgrounds to continue their tertiary education without allowing financial hardship to stand in their way.
Shettima explained that NELFUND supports beneficiaries by paying tuition fees and providing monthly upkeep allowances, helping students deal with some of the financial pressures associated with university education.
Reflecting on his own university days at the University of Maiduguri, the Vice President recalled the difficulty students faced when the prices of food and other necessities increased.
He described NELFUND as a “very beautiful initiative” capable of giving poor families much-needed relief while ensuring that their children have an opportunity to pursue higher education.
Shettima also said Nigeria’s economy was moving towards sustainable development, pointing to recent upgrades in the country’s sovereign credit ratings and outlooks by international rating agencies.
He linked the improved economic outlook to stronger foreign exchange reserves, increased crude oil production, higher federal allocations following the removal of the fuel subsidy and the Federal Government’s ongoing macroeconomic reforms.
The Vice President commended the University of Abuja management for what he described as progress in stabilising the institution after years of challenges.
He promised continued Federal Government support for the university and praised Fawehinmi for providing leadership that had helped address some of the institution’s difficulties.
In his remarks, Fawehinmi commended Shettima for supporting the Tinubu administration and described him as a cerebral and dynamic leader.
The Vice Chancellor also credited NELFUND with helping to improve stability in the education sector, saying the scheme had enabled students to remain in school despite financial challenges.
He said the university’s management and Governing Council appreciated the Vice President’s continued support and intervention in the institution.