The Nigerian government has committed over ₦86 billion to the education of more than 400,000 students nationwide through President Tinubu’s Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) Programme.
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit to Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru in Abakaliki, the state capital, during a two-day citizens’ engagement tour of Enugu and Ebonyi States in the South East.
According to the Minister, President Tinubu continues to promote efforts aimed at revamping the economy, with NELFUND being one of such initiatives.
“This is one of such programmes that President Tinubu has designed for all Nigerians to participate; you don’t have to know anybody to be a beneficiary of the programme. As we speak, over 400,000 are beneficiaries of that. The President dislikes the situation where students who have the requisite qualification to be in school, like tertiary institutions, but were not able to, because their parents or guardians are unable to pay for their fees or upkeep. Today, that is the tale of the past. If you get admission into any tertiary institution, you can apply to NELFUND; and you don’t even have to know anybody,” Idris stated.
The Minister also stressed that President Bola Tinubu is prioritising infrastructure, youth empowerment, and economic growth in the Southeast.
“The President has the people of Ebonyi State close to his heart, just as he has the people of the Southeastern part of this country close to his heart. He is very proud to associate with the people of Southeast Nigeria, and we will ensure that the people of Southeast Nigeria are at the forefront of his Renewed Hope Agenda. And that is why Mr. President has embarked on a lot of projects here in Ebonyi State and other parts of the Southeast,” he said.
Idris further emphasised the President’s focus on youth inclusion.
“The President desires to ensure that the youth who constitute over 60 per cent of the Nigerian population are at the centre of the affairs of his government. That is why he has appointed so many young people into his administration, either as ministers or as heads of agencies, and he is unapologetic about it because he has said quite often that this country belongs to them and they are the future of Nigeria,” he noted.
According to the Minister, President Tinubu’s ₦200 billion MSME support fund is reviving small and medium-scale businesses, alongside bold reforms such as fuel subsidy removal and forex unification, which are freeing resources for critical projects.
Idris commended Governor Nwifuru for complementing federal government efforts, particularly in agriculture, cement production, and youth-driven enterprise, describing them as vital steps towards achieving Nigeria’s $1 trillion economy target.