By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
President Bola Tinubu has commended the National Education Loan Fund for expanding access to higher education, following the disbursement of over ₦303 billion in interest-free student loans to more than 1.64 million Nigerian students nationwide.
The President gave the commendation on Monday, 3 August, 2026 when he received the Chairman of NELFUND, Jim Ovia, alongside the fund’s Managing Director/Chief Executive, Akintunde Sawyerr, in Abuja.
During the meeting, Tinubu praised NELFUND for its remarkable strides in implementing the Student Loan Scheme, describing the feat as a significant milestone in advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda for education and youth development.
The President equally commended Sawyerr for his leadership in driving the initiative, noting that his oversight had ensured that millions of Nigerian students now have access to quality education without the burden of financial constraints.
According to figures presented at the meeting, NELFUND has so far disbursed more than ₦303 billion in interest-free loans, positively impacting over 1.64 million students across the country since the scheme’s implementation began.
The scheme, established under the Tinubu administration to eliminate financial barriers to tertiary education, continues to expand its reach as more students access funding to cover tuition and upkeep, reinforcing the administration’s broader push to reposition Nigeria’s education sector and empower youth nationwide.
