The Kwara State Government has expressed excitement over the intensified campaign by the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to promote the federal government’s student loan initiative, which aims to provide financial support for tertiary education.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, speaking in Ilorin at a sensitization programme for students, described the loan scheme as a game-changer for children from low-income families seeking quality higher education.
The event, themed ‘Empowering Students through Financial Inclusion and Entrepreneurship’ was organised in collaboration with the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Policy Formulation & Human Capital Development, Adetola Ariyike Salau.
AbdulRazaq praised President Bola Tinubu for the initiative, emphasising that lack of funding remains a major barrier to youth education.He noted that his administration is committed to ensuring students in Kwara benefit fully from the scheme.
“There is a lot to be grateful for. This programme is not just about money but empowerment”, the governor stated through Salau.
“Beyond funding, we will also mentor students and equip them with employability skills through various centres across the state.”
RECOMMENDED POSTS
Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sanya, represented by Executive Director of Operations, Mustapha Lyal, revealed that over 400,000 applications had been received nationwide since the programme’s launch, with 70% already cleared.
He noted that thousands of Kwara students have benefited, with about ₦900 million disbursed to public institutions in the state. Sanya explained that NELFUND directly pays school fees to institutions, while an annual upkeep allowance of ₦240,000 is deposited into students’ accounts.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, represented by Deputy VC Management Services, Prof. Adegboyega Fawale, commended the initiative for easing the financial burden on parents.
He encouraged students to enrol en masse to take advantage of the opportunity.
Similarly, the Vice-Chancellor of Muhammad Kamal-deen University called on the federal government to extend the programme to private institutions, noting that their students also deserve support.
Other speakers, including deans of student affairs from various institutions, urged students to leverage the loan scheme to further their education and secure a better future.
