NELFUND CONCLUDES SENSITIZATION ON STUDENT LOAN SCHEME IN THE SOUTH EAST, TO INCREASE PARTICIPATION 09-10-24
By Sadiq Aminu The Nigeria Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, has concluded its sensitization programme in the South East on the benefits of the student loan scheme to increase student participation.
The sensitization which is in collaboration with the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS became necessary due to complaints from the region of being left out of the scheme.
The NELFUND team visited seven Tertiary Institutions in the South East which include Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State; Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Imo State; Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State; University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN);
Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State; Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki and Enugu State University of Technology (ESUTH), representing the five states in the region.
At the various institutions visited, the Managing Director of NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sawyer expressed concern about the low participation of students from the South East in the initiative and took the opportunity to enlighten the students on the benefits of the scheme, particularly in reducing the financial burden on them and their parents.
He took the students through the steps of application, and encouraged them to visit the NELFUND website which was user-friendly, to get more information, and submit their applications.
Mr. Sawyer stressed the need for accuracy in the information provided, to avoid unsuccessful applications.
The Managing Director of NELFUND also allayed fears of harassment or intimidated if they defaulted in repaying the loan, insisting that the loan was interest-free, and a student would only start repaying the loan two years after the National Youth Service Corps and working.
Mr. Sawyer said the engagement was designed to expose the students to the benefits of the loan, and the good intentions of the Federal Government, which was for all eligible students to access quality tertiary education irrespective of financial background.
The NELFUND team has now moved to the South West.