The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced that it has disbursed over N941 million to approximately 7,000 students of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), making the university the third-highest recipient of the facility in the country.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Fund, Akintunde Sawyerr, disclosed this on Tuesday in Jos during a sensitisation meeting with stakeholders in Plateau State regarding the Federal Government’s Students’ Loan Scheme.
The event was attended by Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, members of the State Executive Council, heads of 13 federal and state tertiary institutions in the state, student union representatives, and other stakeholders.
Sawyerr urged tertiary institutions to promptly update their student information on the NELFUND portal.
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He further revealed that the agency would soon convene a meeting with the ICT Directors of beneficiary institutions to troubleshoot and resolve technical difficulties related to loan applications, ensuring a smoother process for all applicants.
“I’m delighted to tell you that the University of Jos is the third-highest benefiting institution from NELFUND in this country. We have disbursed N941 million to UNIJOS on behalf of over 6,990 students. So it’s not a scam. Seeing is believing,” he said.
In his remarks, Governor Mutfwang stated that President Bola Tinubu’s initiative would not only democratise access to education but also lead to tangible improvements in economic activities within institutions of higher learning.
He said: “I have had the opportunity to relate with Mr President, and I see his concern for the underprivileged. This singular act has democratised access to education. And not only has it democratised access to education, it has also boosted the economy of any community of students.”
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya, confirmed that the university had received the student loan funds of N941 million.
He encouraged students who were yet to apply to take advantage of the opportunity and submit their applications, stressing that the scheme is legitimate.
According to Professor Ishaya, receiving the student loan funds in bulk had greatly facilitated the university’s management and operational processes, enabling the institution to allocate resources more efficiently.
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