The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has committed over N90 billion to support the school fees and upkeep of 400,000 students across tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
Idris said the intervention was made possible through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) initiative, which was established by the Federal Government under the Access to Higher Education Act to provide loans for indigent and low-income Nigerians.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday when a platform of State Commissioners of Information, led by the Borno Commissioner of Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, paid him a courtesy visit, the minister explained that the scheme has allowed many students to remain in school without financial burdens on their parents and guardians.
“The Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu has committed N90 billion to NELFUND. Tinubu’s vision is that, on no account, should a Nigerian child of school age be denied going to a tertiary institution,” Idris said.
He added that the funds were not meant for tuition alone but also for the upkeep of beneficiaries across different institutions. “Therefore, this amount is not for school fees alone but also for upkeep of over 400,000 students across different tertiary institutions in the country,” he said.
According to the minister, Tinubu’s vision is tied to the holistic development and prosperity of all Nigerians. He noted that the administration was committed to serving every Nigerian, regardless of political or religious background.
“Nigeria under Tinubu is on the path to prosperity. This is my message to you. We are in government to serve the interests of all, irrespective of political parties. If you will not listen to me because I was appointed by President Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, don’t forget that your children need the NELFUND to stay in school. And also your people who have cancer need treatment and would have to access the Cancer Screening and Treatment Centre/Oncology that Tinubu provided,” he said.
The minister further emphasised that President Tinubu’s policies are designed to reach all Nigerians without discrimination. He described the student loan project as the flagship of the government’s education reforms.
NELFUND, during its first anniversary in May 2025, announced that it had received more than 550,000 applications since its launch on May 24, 2024. The Fund said it remains focused on providing access to higher education for Nigerians facing financial challenges.