The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) is revolutionizing the country’s education sector by making university education more accessible to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, according to Sunday Asefon, Special Assistant to the President on Students’ Engagements. Speaking over the weekend while distributing free Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms to 500 indigenes of Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Asefon described the initiative as a game changer.
With over N100 billion already disbursed as soft loans to millions of students, NELFUND has become a transformative force in higher education. Asefon noted that its impact is evident across the country, with beneficiaries reporting improved academic performance and a decline in school dropouts.
“This initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in ensuring that no deserving Nigerian youth is denied access to education due to financial constraints,” he said.
The free JAMB forms distributed at the event are aimed at helping indigent students register for the forthcoming Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Asefon also announced that five of the top-performing students from the previous UTME would receive full scholarships up to their final year, sponsored by President Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu. Additionally, other high-achieving students would be rewarded with laptop computers as a source of motivation.
A total of 50 forms were allocated to senior secondary (SS3) pupils at Ado Grammar School, Asefon’s alma mater, while the remaining 450 were distributed to students from Ado Local Government Area. The former student leader emphasized that his efforts were geared toward reducing illiteracy and ensuring that no young Nigerian is denied tertiary education due to financial hardship, in line with the Tinubu administration’s vision.
“I commend the efforts of all stakeholders who continue to support students’ welfare and educational advancement. It is our collective responsibility to create opportunities for young Nigerians to thrive academically and contribute meaningfully to society. This is just one of many interventions designed to ensure that our students receive the necessary support to excel. I assure Nigerian students of my unwavering commitment to championing their cause and advocating for policies that prioritize their educational needs,” Asefon added.
