By Asuquo Cletus Felix
The Federal Government has begun the digital launch of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), aimed at encouraging students to go for higher education, and become contributors to national development.
This was confirmed in a state house press statement issued on Wednesday, by chief Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on media and publicity, posted on X app (Formerly called Twitter).
According to Ajuri, president Tinubu launched the digital NELFUND disbursement exercise at the State House Abuja, when the chairman Mr. Jim Ovia, and the Managing Director, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, came calling.
He noted that the fund is aimed at fulfilling the dream of higher education by indigent Nigerian students.
“As I earlier said, my belief is that education is the greatest weapon against poverty. Without education, there is no vision; without education, there will be no development; without education, you cannot successfully conquer poverty, insecurity, and abuse in society.
“Education is that light at the end of the tunnel, and no matter how sluggish it moves, it will give you light and the hope you need. We are investing in it. We do not want to try ignorance as an alternative. We want education from the foundation to the topmost level.
“I am glad we are achieving it with NELFUND and that the leadership has accepted this responsibility, and they are working hard”- Tinubu said.
The statement also added that the president emphasized that education is an essential antidote to some of the challenges faced by the nation.
President Tinubu also presented cheques to some of the students and institutions that had already been processed by NELFUND. Students are to receive stipends for their upkeep, while tuition goes directly to the institutions.
