-term projections targeting 50 million Nigerians through planned expansion into skills acquisition, technical and vocational education and training.
“We are however appealing to stakeholders on the need to expand the student loan scheme to target up to 7 million beneficiaries across Nigerian tertiary institutions and vocational centers for required driving and real national transformation,” he said.
He added that considering an average family size of five, the 1.6 million students already benefiting from NELFUND are indirectly impacting close to 10 million lives.
Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, described the sensitization programme as timely, stressing that many indigent Nigerians are still unaware of the scheme and are therefore unable to benefit from it.
“No matter how beneficial a programme is, if the intended beneficiaries are not adequately informed about it, its impact will be limited,” Jibrin said.
He called for the sensitization campaign to be extended across all six geopolitical zones to reach as many eligible Nigerians as possible.
Chairman of the House Committee on Student Loans, Scholarships and Tertiary Education Financing, Hon. Ifeoluwa Eyindero, also praised the initiative and said it would help students better understand how to access financial support through the scheme.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on TETFund, Senator Muntari Dandutse, said the collaboration aligns with the committee’s commitment to reducing financial barriers to education and ensuring equitable access for all Nigerians.
The programme was jointly organised by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund in collaboration with NELFUND.
Digital Operations Manager at The Students Forum Nigeria.
