National Orientation Agency (NOA) has asked Anambra Students to access the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND Student Loan) established by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
NOA said the initiative is to ensure that no Nigerian student who has gotten admission to pursue tertiary education is prevented from doing so, as a result of inability to pay school fees.
The Director General NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu represented by the Director, Abuse, Rights and Narcotics, NOA Headquarters Abuja, Mrs Theresa Maduekwe, stated this in Awka while clarifying concerns raised by parents on how to access the NELFUND Loan.
He said the loan is available to all qualified Nigerians who are schooling in public tertary institutions in Nigeria.
“The loan is fully digital, that means that applications are made online at the NELFUND website, tuition fees are paid directly to the school on behalf of successful applicants, over 600,000 students have been on-boarded and over N59 Billion has been disbursed so far.
Mallam Issa-Onilu noted that NELFUND gives applicants loan for school fees to pay after graduation when they have started working whether in private or public establishments.
“An applicant should visit the State Ministry of Education to arm himself with sufficient information. The plan is being implemented to a certain years when you have gained employment after graduation. It’s not automatic or what you can shy away from.”
Mallam Issa-Onilu also stressed government’s programmes in relations to Social Safety Nets Expansion, Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund, National youth Investment Fund (NYIF) and The Industrial Training Fund (ITF).
“Social Safety Nets Expansion: Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) have been done to over 2 Million households that are enrolled nationwide, Trader Moni and Farmer Moni is being introduced through the Government Enterprise and Empowerment GEEP programme -interest free loans of up to a maximum N100,000 and Farmer Moni ofup to N300,000 will be provided.
“Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund: Renovation of 700 hundred rural schools is in the process of being undertaken nationwide as an intervention to improve the state of schools in the rural areas in Nigeria.
“National youth Investment Fund (NYIF): This initiative is being coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Youth along with others takeholders. N110 Billion has been dedicated to support 150,000 youths across the country.
“The Industrial Training Fund (ITF): Is at the final stage of deploying the SUPA project which is aimed at up-scaling and certifying peoplewho are engaged in various artisanal works across the country,” the DG concluded.
Earlier, the State Director, said the event will desolve to stakeholders conference involving traditional rulers, middle-class, to address the thematic areas highlighted above.
Responding, Barr Ifeoma Chijioke, Deputy-Director, Human Resources Management, NOA appreciated the DG for coming to Anambra to torch the five thematic areas, assuring him that Anambra are cuing in into the National programmes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.###
