BY BERNADETTE IDALU
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, officially launched the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) scheme in Edo State
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to making education accessible to all Edo State indigenes, regardless of gender or location, through collaboration with the scheme.
Idahosa highlighted the significance of NELFUND in alleviating the financial burden on indigent students, ensuring they can pursue higher education without undue stress.
He praised Governor Okpebholo for staying true to his campaign promise of prioritizing education, a goal now being realized through this partnership.
During a prior courtesy visit from the NELFUND team, Idahosa commended Edo State Commissioner of Education, Dr. Paddy Emmanuel Iyamu, for his extensive media engagement to raise awareness about the scheme and encourage optimal utilization of the interest-free loan.
He also expressed gratitude to NELFUND’s Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Akintunde Oluwole Sawyer, and acknowledged Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila for sponsoring the bill, which was signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, making interest-free loans available to students in government-owned federal and state tertiary institutions.
At the New Festival Hall in the Edo State Government House, stakeholders engaged directly with the NELFUND team to address their concerns.
The official website (https://nelf.gov.ng) was provided for students to check eligibility criteria and access relevant information.
Mr. Sawyer explained that loan repayment begins two years after the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program, with employers required to deduct 10% from beneficiaries’ salaries at the source to ensure sustainability of the revolving loan scheme.
