President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has met with the Chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Mr. Jim Ovia, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja to discuss the implementation and expansion of the Federal Government’s student loan scheme.
The meeting focused on the progress of the programme, which is designed to remove financial barriers to higher education and enable eligible Nigerian students to access tertiary education without being held back by financial constraints.
Ovia, the founder of Zenith Bank, was appointed Chairman of the NELFUND Board in April 2024 to provide leadership and oversight for the implementation of the student loan initiative.
NELFUND administers student loans to eligible applicants in accredited federal and state tertiary institutions, forming a key part of the Federal Government’s efforts to reform education financing and widen access to higher education.
The discussions also come amid ongoing efforts to improve loan application procedures and disbursement processes to ensure that financial assistance reaches eligible students efficiently.
The meeting underscores the administration’s continued engagement with NELFUND’s leadership on the implementation of the student loan programme and efforts to strengthen its delivery to Nigerian students.
The Federal Government launched the initiative to help address financial challenges that often prevent students from pursuing or completing tertiary education, while promoting broader access to educational opportunities.
As implementation continues, the effectiveness of the scheme will depend on efficient administration, timely disbursement and sustained efforts to ensure that eligible students can access the support available to them.
