Presidential aide urges Kwara students to access NELFUND loans

The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Student Engagement, Sunday Asefon (middle), flanked by students from the University of Ilorin and other institutions at an event in Ilorin on Monday.. Photo Credit: Toheeb Omotayo

The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Student Engagement, Sunday Asefon, has urged students in Kwara State to take advantage of government-backed education loans, vocational training and entrepreneurship programmes to improve their prospects after graduation.

Asefon gave the advice on Monday at the University of Ilorin during an engagement with students from the institution and other tertiary institutions in the state, organised by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative.

Speaking at the programme, themed “Thank You, Mr President,” the presidential aide identified the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as one of the major interventions introduced by the Tinubu administration to remove financial barriers to higher education.

He said the interest-free loan scheme was designed to support eligible students with their educational expenses but cautioned against viewing it as a replacement for scholarships and bursaries.

“Student loans should not be regarded as a replacement for scholarships, bursaries and other forms of educational assistance, but rather as an additional intervention to expand access to higher education,” he stated.

Asefon also urged students to acquire practical skills alongside their academic qualifications, pointing to the growing importance of technical training, digital competence and entrepreneurship in the employment market.

“Students should look beyond academic certificates and acquire practical skills that would make them competitive in the evolving employment market,” he added.

He encouraged undergraduates across the state to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training programmes and other skills-development initiatives aimed at promoting self-reliance and economic productivity.

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The presidential aide also drew attention to other interventions, including the Student Venture Capital Grant, campus mobility initiatives and efforts to expand accommodation facilities in tertiary institutions.

As part of the engagement, Asefon extended empowerment support to some final-year students, stressing the importance of providing practical assistance to young Nigerians preparing to complete their academic programmes.

He explained that the engagement was also intended to bridge the communication gap between the Presidency and students by ensuring that they understood government policies, accessed available opportunities and communicated their concerns through appropriate channels.

However, he acknowledged that challenges involving the cost of education, accommodation, transportation, learning facilities, security and general student welfare remained issues requiring sustained government attention.

He called for stronger collaboration among government authorities, tertiary institution managements and student leaders to ensure the effective implementation of ongoing educational reforms.

Asefon also charged student union leaders to embrace responsible leadership, accountability and constructive engagement, while promoting peace, discipline and unity on campuses.

He urged students to “shun cultism and drug abuse and remain committed to academic excellence, adding that young Nigerians had important roles to play in the country’s development.”

The presidential aide further urged students to recognise their civic responsibilities, particularly the power of their votes in shaping the country’s political and developmental future.