NELFUND critical to improving Nigeria educational standards — Min. Idris

…As over 5,000 Ibadan students benefit

The Federal Government has reaffirmed that the Nigerian Educational Loan Fund (NELFUND) is a pivotal programme designed to guarantee that no child is denied access to quality higher education.

The assurance was given at a town hall meeting in Ibadan, convened by the Ministry of Information and National Orientation to review the mid-term performance of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Representing the Minister of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, the Head of the Federal Ministry of Information in Oyo State, Mr Moses Oyelade, explained that the initiative forms part of a wider strategy to improve Nigeria’s Human Development Index (HDI). He disclosed that more than 5,000 students at the University of Ibadan have already benefited from the scheme.

The meeting provided a forum to showcase the administration’s efforts across multiple sectors. Dr Solomon Oyeleye, an academic and resource person at the gathering, commended the government’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of the fuel subsidy, describing it as a necessary risk to ease the burden of debt servicing. He encouraged further dialogue with stakeholders, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), to consolidate on the progress recorded so far.

On infrastructure, Mr Victor Kolawole, Controller of Works at the Federal Ministry of Works, gave updates on projects in Oyo State. He reported that the contract for the Oyo–Ogbomoso dual carriageway was re-awarded in March and that construction is advancing on the Saki–Okerete and Ibadan–Ife–Ilesa roads.

A representative of the Ministry of Housing, Solomon Adewole, also disclosed that 250 housing units are under construction in Erunmu, Ibadan. The project, tagged Renewed Hope Estate, is targeted at low-income earners and is more than 60 per cent complete.

Professor Demola Lewis, Dean of Students at the University of Ibadan, confirmed that at least 5,000 students from the institution had accessed support through NELFUND. He applauded the initiative and called on government to roll out additional student-focused programmes.