Over 20,000 university students in Anyigba have benefited from NELFUND – DVC

Over 20,000 students of Prince Abubakar Audu University Anyigba, Kogi State have benefited from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) since the beginning of the program, said Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Sani Nefaye Abdullahi.

He further stated that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has been substantially instrumental in the growth of the university and has had a positive impact on both staff and students of the institution.

The DVC spoke at the institution on Tuesday while receiving the media team of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors currently on project tours in states controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Abdullahi, who received the team on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, described the loan program as an impactful education policy.

He said: “Our students have enjoyed the NELFUND program since its inception and are satisfied with it…

“They receive their maintenance allowance monthly. In fact, the last payment came just last week, while exams were underway. Students were cheering because their pockets were dry. It came at the right time and allowed them to focus on exams instead of worrying about money.”

“The university appreciates the efforts of the federal government. Parents who normally struggle to pay tuition fees now have some relief, while students can continue their studies without unnecessary financial pressure,” Abdullahi further said.

On TETFund, the DVC said the program has positively strengthened the university’s academic and research capacity.

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

Also, the University’s Director of Physical Planning, Kayode Olonimisi, disclosed that the institution has received four major infrastructure projects funded by the TETFund in the last three years.

He listed plans to include academic office complexes for the Faculties of Agriculture and Humanities, a modern Senate building that will house over 100 offices, a Senate Chamber with a capacity of around 400 seats equipped with modern multimedia facilities, a Council Chamber and a lecture hall for the College of Health Sciences that can accommodate 500 people.

Commenting on the tour, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Engagement, Fredrick Nwabufo, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu places great importance on education.

Nwabufo said the government would continue to come up with policies aimed at removing financial barriers that prevent young Nigerians from acquiring an education.

“Education is at the heart of the Renewed Hope agenda. Just a few weeks ago, the Renewed HOPE-EDU program worth over $500 million was launched to support the education of millions of Nigerian children,” he added.

“The President is committed to ensuring that no child is left behind. That is why he introduced the student loan program, so that once a student gains admission to university, financial constraints no longer force him or her to drop out before graduation,” the presidential aide further added.