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NELFUND Shares Key Roles In Advancing SDGs At Nigerian Tertiary Institutions Conference
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) showcased its pivotal roles in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during the 1st Nigerian Tertiary Institutions Conference on SDGs, held on August 27th and 28th in Abuja.
The event, which brought together stakeholders from across the educational sector, featured a presentation by Mr. Mustapha Iyal, the Executive Director, Operations of NELFUND, who spoke on behalf of the Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr.
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In his address, Mr. Iyal emphasized the critical importance of education in driving Nigeria’s progress toward achieving the SDGs.
He introduced NELFUND’s mission to eliminate financial barriers for students pursuing tertiary education, framing the initiative as a cornerstone of national development.
Highlighting the impact of NELFUND, Mr. Iyal acknowledged the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in establishing the Fund and launching the student loan scheme.
He noted that the scheme, which offers interest-free loans to students in public institutions, is a key component of the government’s broader strategy to enhance access to quality education and reduce inequality.
Mr. Iyal provided a comprehensive overview of NELFUND’s operations, revealing that the Fund has received over 2.4 million student records and processed 218,920 loan applications to date.
He also reported that 19 tertiary institutions have already begun receiving loan disbursements, marking a significant milestone in the Fund’s efforts to support Nigerian students.
Further detailing the loan disbursement process, Mr. Iyal underscored NELFUND’s alignment with the SDGs, particularly in promoting quality education, fostering economic growth, and reducing inequalities.
He highlighted the upcoming Skills Acquisition Program, which is set to launch soon, as a vital initiative that will equip students with practical skills to enhance their employability and contribute to the nation’s economic development.
Mr. Iyal reiterated NELFUND’s unwavering commitment to inclusivity and excellence in education. He emphasized that by empowering the next generation of Nigerian leaders through education, NELFUND is playing a crucial role in building a sustainable and prosperous future for the country.
The conference, which brought together leaders from various educational institutions, provided a platform for NELFUND to demonstrate its commitment to the SDGs and its vision of a future where financial constraints no longer hinder educational pursuits.
The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has assured corps members deployed to the state of their safety, despite rising security concerns across the region.
Speaking on Friday through the Commissioner for Youth, Sports Development and Creativity, Hon. Terkimbi Ikyange, Governor Alia said his administration is working closely with security agencies to ensure the safety and well-being of all National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members throughout their service year.
“Sadly, our nation is currently bedevilled with security challenges, and Benue State is not exempt,” the governor stated.
“However, let me quickly allay your fears and assure you that, as a government, we are committed to ensuring that your safety is guaranteed throughout your stay in the state.”
He noted that comprehensive protective measures have been implemented across corps lodges and other areas occupied by corps members in the state.
Governor Alia also encouraged the new corps members to take full advantage of the NYSC’s Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, describing it as a “gateway to great opportunities.”
He further urged them to use their God-given talents to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development.
In her remarks, the State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs. Veronica Garba, thanked the governor and the people of Benue for their continued support of the scheme.
She charged the new inductees to actively participate in the four cardinal components of the orientation course: physical training, motivational lectures, sporting activities, and SAED.
The orientation exercise welcomed a total of 1,600 corps members, officially inducted into the programme by Justice Peter Ukande, who represented the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambeae.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has approved the appointment of a new Acting Director of Administration for the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH), Uburu.
This was contained in a statement in Uburu on Thursday by the DUFUTH’s Public Relations Officer, Agwu N. O.
According to Agwu, the new appointee is Edith Anih, an indigene of Enugu State with relevant working experience, having worked at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, where she was Deputy Director of Administration.
It was gathered that the approval was conveyed in a letter dated April 23, 2025, addressed to the Chief Medical Director.
Prior to her appointment, Anih held the position of Deputy Director of Administration at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu.
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He wrote, “Mrs. Anih Edith Ndidi is a seasoned administrator born on May 22, 1973. She is married and hails from Enugu State, specifically Enugu South Local Government Area.
“She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management. She is also an associate member of the Institute of Health Service Administrators of Nigeria (IHSAN).
“The Management of DUFUTH extends a warm welcome to the new DA and looks forward to collaborating with her as she brings a fresh perspective to the hospital’s administrative leadership.”
The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to launch a forensic audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), in a major move aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in the oil and gas sector.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, at the ongoing Nigerian Investor Forum, held on the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC.
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Edun explained that the upcoming audit, along with recent changes in NNPCL management, is part of a broader effort to reform the state-owned oil company and rebuild trust in Nigeria’s economic institutions.
Addressing top global investors, including representatives from financial giant J.P. Morgan, Edun outlined a series of bold economic reforms introduced by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
He said the measures are already yielding positive results and have laid a strong foundation for future growth.
“Our goal is not just to maintain this momentum, but to accelerate it,” Edun said. “We are targeting seven per cent annual growth, and we believe the policies we have implemented have laid the groundwork to achieve this.”
According to Edun, Nigeria’s economy grew by 3.84% in the fourth quarter of 2024, with an overall annual growth rate of 3.4%.
He described the government’s economic strategy as “unprecedented,” adding that key indicators such as the budget deficit, trade balance, and exchange rate have all shown signs of improvement.
“We said we would do it, and now we have done it. This time, we’re staying the course,” he emphasized.
The minister also highlighted the government’s focus on agriculture as a critical driver of economic growth, saying efforts are underway to close the food supply gap by empowering local producers.
“We aim to close the food supply gap, not by importing more, but by enabling domestic producers to scale and innovate,” he said.
In the area of infrastructure, Edun announced that 90,000km of fibre optic cable has been rolled out to boost internet connectivity, especially for young Nigerians and the tech ecosystem.
Additionally, 4,000km of roads have been earmarked for private sector participation, with the first 1,000km already approved for construction.
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