..."NELFUND Will Keep Breaking Financial Barriers to Higher Education" —MD, Akintunde Sawyerr
_By Ogene Romanus Chizoba_
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has joined Nigerians at home and abroad in celebrating the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary, with its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, reaffirming the Fund’s commitment to creating educational opportunities for young Nigerians.
In an Independence Day message to Nigerians on Thursday, October 1, 2026, Sawyerr said the anniversary offered an opportunity to reflect not only on Nigeria’s history but also on the country being built and the responsibility of citizens and institutions in shaping its future.
The NELFUND MD/CEO said the nation’s strength, resilience and remarkable potential remained worthy of celebration, while urging Nigerians to remain committed to building a better future.
“Today, as we celebrate Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, we are reminded of the strength, resilience and remarkable potential of our great nation,” Sawyerr said.
He said NELFUND has a tangible role to play in shaping Nigeria’s future through its support for students and efforts to make educational opportunities more accessible.
According to him, every student supported by the Fund, every educational opportunity made accessible and every young Nigerian whose dream is kept alive represents an investment in the Nigeria of tomorrow.
“Every student we support, every educational opportunity we help make accessible, and every young Nigerian whose dream we help keep alive is an investment in the Nigeria of tomorrow,” he stated.
Sawyerr noted that the impact of NELFUND’s work extends beyond the walls of educational institutions, stressing that the Fund is helping young Nigerians acquire the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to contribute meaningfully to national development.
“Our work may happen within the walls of an institution, but its impact extends far beyond them. We are helping to create opportunities for young Nigerians to acquire the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to contribute meaningfully to our nation’s development,” he said.
The NELFUND chief executive also encouraged members of the organisation to remain committed to service, integrity, excellence and accountability, describing the values as essential to making their work meaningful and advancing Nigeria’s progress.
He further emphasized that building the Nigeria citizens desire is a collective responsibility that goes beyond government, noting that citizens, organisations and institutions all have important roles to play in creating opportunities for the next generation.
“The Nigeria we desire will not be built by government alone. It will be built by citizens who choose to do their part, organisations that remain committed to their mandates, and institutions that continue to create opportunities for the next generation,” Sawyerr said.
The NELFUND MD/CEO, on behalf of the Executive Management of the Fund, wished Nigerians and their families a happy and peaceful Independence Day.
He also expressed hope for continued growth in Nigeria’s strength, unity and prosperity, while praying that the dreams of every Nigerian child would find the opportunity to become reality.
“May Nigeria continue to grow in strength, unity and prosperity, and may the dreams of every Nigerian child find the opportunity to become reality,” he said.
While Nigeria marks 66 years of independence, Sawyerr’s message underscores NELFUND’s role in supporting access to higher education and investing in young Nigerians as part of efforts towards strengthening the country’s human capital and future development.
Happy 66th Independence Anniversary, Nigeria!
_FOUNTAINCARE MEDIA_
