The Managing Director of Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, the Fund has received over 60,000 applications for student loan since the opening of NELFUND portal for students at federal institutions last Friday.
Sawyerr, who stated this on Thursday while addressing the media in Abuja, said that out of the 60,000 applications, 30,000 students had successfully completed the process to access the loan.
He also said the Fund had over 9.5 million hits on the site so far.
He said “the extraordinary surge” in applications was a testament to the critical need for financial assistance amongst the students.
He said, “We are pleased to report that over 90 per cent Federal institutions of Higher Learning have submitted their students’ data to NELFUND. However, we urge the remaining two federal universities and five federal polytechnics to expedite the process to ensure that all eligible students can access the funds’ financial support.”
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The managing director also disclosed that the fund would commence accepting applications from students at state-owned tertiary institutions on June 25, 2024.
He, however, urged the state-owned tertiary institutions to submit their students’ data immediately as requested in order to facilitate a smooth and seamless application process.
Sawyerr also disclosed that beyond financial assistance, NELFUND recognised the profound importance of equipping youths with practical, market-relevant skills.
“Six months from today, we will launch a comprehensive skill acquisition programme, providing training in various vocational and technical fields,” he said.
According to him, the programme is designed to prepare students to meet the demands of the modern job market, fostering entrepreneurship and innovation among young people.
While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support and vision, Sawyerr acknowledged the dedication of all stakeholders, including the media and NELFUND team, for their tireless efforts in making a tangible difference in the lives of Nigerian students.