President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) management to broaden its scope by providing interest-free loans to Nigerian students seeking skill-development programmes.
The directive was given at the State House on Monday following a briefing by Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, NELFUND’s Executive Secretary, outlining preparations for the upcoming program launch later this month, according to a statement by the presidential spokesperson.
President Tinubu emphasized the significance of the program catering to individuals not inclined toward university education, underscoring the equal importance of skill acquisition alongside traditional academic qualifications at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
“This is not an exclusive programme. It is catering to all of our young people. Young Nigerians are gifted in different areas. This is not only for those who want to be doctors, lawyers, and accountants. It is also for those who aspire to use their skilled and trained hands to build our nation.
In accordance with this, I have instructed NELFUND to explore all opportunities to inculcate skill-development programmes because not everybody wants to go through a full university education,” the President said.
Furthermore, the President emphasized the imperative of equity and inclusivity in the program’s management.
“No matter how economically challenged you are, accredited and qualified students will and must have access to this loan to advance their education in higher institutions. There is no compromise in our commitment to the disadvantaged citizens of this nation,” he said.