NELFUND has eased financial burden on poor students, says Shettima
Vice President Kashim Shettima has described the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a landmark initiative that has eased the financial burden on children from less-privileged backgrounds seeking higher education.
Shettima stated this on Wednesday in Abuja when he received the management team of the University of Abuja, led by its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi.
The Vice President said NELFUND, through tuition support and monthly upkeep allowances, had helped remove financial barriers that could prevent students from accessing tertiary education.
He described the scheme as a social equaliser and an important tool for poverty reduction, recalling his experience as a student at the University of Maiduguri when rising food prices made life difficult for students.
“NELFUND is a very beautiful initiative by the leadership of this country under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, created to give respite and breathing space to the children of the poor,” Shettima said.
He also said Nigeria was firmly on the path of sustainable economic development under the Tinubu administration.
Shettima attributed the recent improvement in Nigeria’s sovereign credit ratings and outlooks to stronger foreign exchange reserves, increased oil production, higher federal allocations following the removal of fuel subsidy and ongoing macroeconomic reforms.
The Vice President commended the University of Abuja management for restoring stability to the institution, saying the university was now on a solid footing.
