Tinubu Directs Expansion Of Student Loan Program To Include Skill Development

T𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗯𝘂 D𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 E𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 St𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 L𝗼𝗮𝗻 P𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 T𝗼 I𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲 S𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹 D𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

1By Hussaini Ibrahim Kafi

President Bola Tinubu has directed the management of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to expand its focus area by extending interest-free loans to Nigerian students interested in skill-development programmes.

The President issued this directive at the State House on Monday after a briefing from Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, Executive Secretary of NELFUND, on the build-up to the launch of the programme later in the month.

The President said it is important for the scheme to accommodate those who may not want to pursue university education, noting that skill acquisition is as important as obtaining undergraduate and graduate academic qualifications.

“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,” he said.