Over 20,000 Kogi varsity students benefit from NELFUND as FG expands education interventions

More than 20,000 students of Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, have benefited from the Federal Government’s Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) since the programme commenced, with the institution saying the initiative has eased financial pressures on students and their families while improving learning outcomes.

The university also said interventions by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) have transformed its academic infrastructure, research capacity and learning environment, underscoring the impact of ongoing Federal Government investments in higher education.

Speaking during a media tour of Federal Government projects in Kogi State, Sani Abdullahi, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), who represented Salisu Ogbo Usman, the Vice-Chancellor, described the student loan scheme as one of the most impactful education policies introduced in recent years.

“Our students have been enjoying the NELFUND programme right from its inception, and they are happy with it,” Abdullahi said.

“They receive their upkeep allowance monthly. In fact, the latest payment came just last week while examinations were ongoing.

“The students were jubilating because their pockets were dry. It came at the right time and enabled them to focus on their examinations instead of worrying about money.”

He disclosed that more than 20,000 students of the institution had benefited from the scheme since its commencement.

According to him, the intervention has reduced the financial burden on parents while improving students’ access to higher education.

“The university appreciates the efforts of the Federal Government. Parents who ordinarily struggle to pay school fees now have some relief, while students can pursue their education without unnecessary financial pressure,” he said.

Beyond student financing, Abdullahi said TETFund has continued to play a critical role in strengthening the university’s academic and research capacity.

He noted that research grants provided by the agency have enabled lecturers to undertake quality research and publish in high-impact journals, thereby enhancing the institution’s national and international academic standing.

“When it comes to research, high-impact publications are critical. TETFund has continued to support our academics through research grants, making our lecturers more competitive globally,” he added.

Kayode Olonimisi, the university’s Director of Physical Planning, said the institution had received four major TETFund-funded infrastructure projects within the last three years.

According to him, the projects include academic office complexes for the Faculties of Agriculture and Arts and Humanities, a modern Senate Building housing over 100 offices, a Senate Chamber with a seating capacity of about 400 equipped with modern media facilities, a Council Chamber, and a 500-seat lecture theatre for the College of Health Sciences.

He said the projects have significantly expanded the university’s capacity for teaching, learning and administration.

Also speaking during the inspection, Fredrick Nwabufo, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Engagement, said education remains one of the key pillars of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with significant resources already being deployed to improve access and quality across the sector.

He said the Federal Government has continued to roll out funding initiatives designed to remove financial barriers preventing young Nigerians from acquiring education.

“Education is at the heart and core of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Nwabufo said.

“Just a few weeks ago, the Renewed HOPE-EDU programme worth over 500 million dollars was launched to support the education of millions of Nigerian children.”

He explained that the administration was implementing multiple interventions simultaneously, including the student loan scheme, to ensure that financial constraints no longer prevent qualified students from completing tertiary education.

“The President is committed to ensuring that no child is left behind.

“That is why he introduced the student loan scheme, so that once a student gains admission into the university, financial constraints will no longer force them to drop out before graduation.”

Nwabufo added that the combination of student financing, education infrastructure and broader investment programmes demonstrates the administration’s determination to rebuild Nigeria’s education sector and make quality education more accessible.

The inspection formed part of a tour by presidential media aides to assess ongoing Federal Government-supported projects across Kogi State.