President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, directed the management of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund to extend interest-free loans to Nigerian students interested in skill-development programmes.
This followed a briefing from the Executive Secretary of NELFUND, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, on the build-up to the launch of the programme later in the month.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed this in a statement he signed on Monday titled, ‘President Tinubu directs expansion of the student-loan programme to include skill development.’
Tinubu based his decision on the need for the scheme to accommodate those who may not want to pursue a university education, noting that skill acquisition is as important as obtaining undergraduate and graduate academic qualifications.
“This is not an exclusive programme. It is catering to all of our young people. Young Nigerians are gifted in different areas.
“This is not only for those who want to be doctors, lawyers, and accountants. It is also for those who aspire to use their skilled and trained hands to build our nation.
“In accordance with this, I have instructed NELFUND to explore all opportunities to inculcate skill-development programmes because not everybody wants to go through a full university education,” he said.
