Jim Ovia appointed chairman of Nigerian education loan fund

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Mr. Jim Ovia, a distinguished banker and entrepreneur, as the Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), in a strategic move aimed at bolstering access to higher education and skill development opportunities for Nigerian youths.

Ovia, the founder of one of Nigeria’s leading banks, brings with him a wealth of experience and a track record of philanthropic efforts towards empowering young Nigerians.

A Harvard Business School alumnus with a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana, Ovia’s leadership is expected to elevate the impact of NELFUND’s initiatives.

The National Student Loan Programme, championed by NELFUND, represents a critical intervention designed to ensure sustainable access to higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths.

President Tinubu’s selection of Mr. Ovia underscores the government’s commitment to leveraging top-tier professionals to steer this transformative initiative.

In his new role, Ovia is poised to leverage his expertise and industry stature to drive the vision of eradicating financial barriers that hinder educational pursuits among Nigerian students. The overarching goal is to cultivate a generation of skilled and empowered individuals who can contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s development and compete in the global knowledge-based economy.

President Tinubu expressed confidence in Ovia’s ability to lead NELFUND towards achieving its mandate of ensuring that no Nigerian student faces educational setbacks due to financial constraints.