By Nafiu Toyin Abdulqadri
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has distributed over N10 billion to applicants since its launch in August 2024. Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, Managing Director and CEO of NELFUND, announced this achievement at the inaugural meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Student Loans, Scholarships, and Higher Education Financing in Abuja.
Addressing concerns about bias, Sawyerr assured that NELFUND has made efforts to connect with all regions, particularly the South-East, which had expressed feelings of marginalization. The fund has received over 350,000 applications, with 1,000 more coming in daily. Special provisions are being made for students living with disabilities and addressing barriers to girl-child education.
Sawyerr emphasized the importance of education for Nigeria’s future, citing the 70% of the population under 35. He praised President Bola Tinubu’s timely intervention, noting that denying education to this segment risks instability and violence.