The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has said plans are underway to introduce specialized software aimed at ensuring that students with disabilities in higher institutions can fully take advantage of its loan scheme.

Managing Director/Chief Executive of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ engagement on student loan in Benin City, Edo State.

Sawyerr emphasized that the Act establishing the loan scheme guarantees equal opportunity for all, adding that NELFUND will collaborate with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) to ensure more inclusivity.

“We want to see how we can make it easier for those visually impaired, so that they can actually apply for the loan. We are looking at a specific software we are going to use,” he said.

During the event, which brought together religious leaders, parents, persons with disabilities, government officials, teachers, and community representatives, Sawyerr described the initiative under President Bola Tinubu’s administration as a transformative step for education in Nigeria.

Addressing concerns about loan repayment in the event of a beneficiary’s death, he said: “The law says that, if the very person dies, that loan is not transferred to the family or anyone else. The loan is wiped out.”

Sawyerr reiterated the government’s commitment to making tertiary education accessible to all Nigerians, stating that “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came up with this initiative that no Nigerian student anywhere in Nigeria should be deprived of the opportunity to gain tertiary education because of lack of money.
“In order to actualize this vision, he set up this agency, Nigeria Education Loan Fund. He has funded it, he has put political will behind it, having created a structure through an Act of Parliament that effectively says that we are to go and look for these students, those who are about to drop out, those who are considering not furthering after secondary level, that we should look for them and if money is their issue, we should try to solve it. We’ve been doing that.”

On his part, Edo State Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, commended the Federal Government for making the student loan scheme a reality.

“Let me also use this opportunity to thank the President of our dear country, President Bola Tinubu, for this initiative. Because before now, many families go through a lot of challenges to be able to pay school fees for students across the country.

“The thanks also go to my former boss, the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila. In the 9th Assembly, this bill was sponsored by him and was assented by the President, and that is what gave this opportunity to Nigerian students to be able to pay school fees.

“We as a state government, by the grace of God, we are going to collaborate with you for very aggressive sensitization to ensure that almost all the students in Edo State benefit from the student loan initiative,” he said.

Meanwhile, speaking during the stakeholders’ engagement, Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, humorously advised parents against having more children simply because the burden of tertiary education costs would be covered by NELFUND.

“To my men folk, don’t begin to fire on because of NELFUND,” he said, drawing laughter from the audience.

Iyamu described the scheme as nearly free due to its zero-interest nature, explaining that repayment would only begin two years after completing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and when beneficiaries are employed, with deductions set at 10% of their salary.

The commissioner, who named the NELFUND Managing Director, Efosa, a Edo name, meaning ‘He Who Brings Blessings,’ for passionately championing the loan scheme initiative across the three senatorial districts in Edo State and across the country, said Governor Monday Okpebholo-led government would leave no stone unturned to ensure its success.

The Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, Kaduna State, will begin academic activities this year. Medicine, Pharmacy, and Nursing are emerging as the top programmes.

This follows the official transfer of the institution’s Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) from the Kaduna State Government to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, confirmed the development in Abuja when Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani handed over the Certificate of Occupancy to him.

He assured Governor Sani that all necessary financial provisions had been made to ensure the university’s smooth start.

“This university is going to take off. We already have the National Assembly’s approval for the personnel, the recurrent overhead, and the capital budget in the 2025 budget,” Dr Alausa said.

He further announced that the institution would admit its first batch of students in the 2025 academic year, reinforcing the government’s commitment to expanding higher education opportunities.

The minister also pledged to secure funding from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to accelerate the university’s development.

“I’ll ensure the university also gets a TETFund allocation this year. So, this is a happy day for the people of Southern Kaduna, the people of Kaduna, and the people of Nigeria at large,” he stated.

With the formal handover of the Certificate of Occupancy, the Federal Government now assumes full ownership of the university, paving the way for its official commencement. “Over 200 hectares of land are being transferred by the Kaduna State Government to the Federal Government via the Federal Ministry of Education. We now have full ownership of this university,” he said.

Alausa said the university would offer Science courses, especially in the medical sciences, which are priority areas for the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, even as the ministry focuses on STEM, Vocational and Technical education, and skill acquisition.

“The Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, would be offering courses in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and applied sciences in areas such as applied mathematics, computers, AI and machine learning, and environmental studies, among others,” he said.

Governor of Kaduna State Uba Sani said the University of Applied Sciences Kachia is very special, as it would engender development because of the nature of its courses, as the Honourable Minister of Education spelt out. “We believe that science is something significant and critical and will help Kaduna develop,” he said.

He said the land given to the University by the Kaduna State government is as large as a whole district and far more significant than many universities in the country. “We are here with the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), about 270 hectares of land. It’s a whole district and bigger than many universities nationwide,” he said.

He commended Nigerian President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for the FEC approval, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and Senator Sunday Marshal, representing Kaduna South Senatorial District, for their unwavering support that made the university a reality, especially the seamless transition.

FG Expanding Transport, Power Networks—Presidency

Sunday Dare, special adviser to the president on media and public communications, says the federal government is expanding transportation and power networks nationwide.

In a statement on Sunday, Dare said Nigeria is experiencing an unprecedented expansion of its transportation and power networks, laying the foundation for long-term economic growth.

According to the presidential special adviser, “36 major roads — including the Lagos coastal road and Sokoto-Badagry highway — are currently under construction, backed by a N5.9 trillion allocation in the 2025 budget”.

“This administration understands that without world-class infrastructure, economic growth remains stunted. Roads, power, and water projects are being prioritised to unlock Nigeria’s full economic potential,” Dare said.

The presidential aide highlighted the Lekki Free Trade Zone as a prime example of how infrastructure investment attracts billion-dollar industries, citing the Dangote refinery as a direct beneficiary of strategic road and port development.

“People doubted President Tinubu when he first pushed for these projects as governor of Lagos. Today, they have transformed entire economic corridors, proving the power of long-term planning,” Dare added.

Beyond roads, he said the government is investing heavily in power sector reforms, ensuring that businesses and households benefit from a more stable electricity supply, which is crucial for industrialisation and economic expansion.

“The impact of these projects is also evident in Eko Atlantic, where world-class infrastructure has attracted major financial institutions such as First Bank, reinforcing Lagos’ position as a global business and investment hub,” he said.

In February, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved N242.6 billion for the rehabilitation, re-scoping, and construction of 14 major road projects across the country.

On March 6, the FEC approved the rehabilitation and construction of 14 road projects across Nigeria, valued at N660.2 billion.

The Peoples Democratic Party has again postponed its National Executive Committee meeting, rescheduling it for May 15, 2025.

In a statement obtained by ELANZANEWS Online on Sunday, the PDP’s National Secretary, Sunday Ude-Okoye, said the meeting, originally slated for March 13, was delayed due to pending zonal, state, local government, and ward congresses, as well as the need for further consultations.

This marks the fifth time the PDP has rescheduled its 99th NEC meeting, further deepening internal divisions within the party.

The crisis within the PDP has intensified since Umar Damagum assumed office as acting National Chairman following the court’s removal of Senator Iyorchia Ayu, with growing calls for his resignation.

During the 98th NEC meeting on April 18, 2024, party leaders failed to resolve several critical issues. As a result, the crisis has deepened, affecting state and zonal chapters and causing significant divisions within the National Working Committee.

The 98th NEC meeting had initially set August 15 for the 99th NEC meeting to address unresolved matters. However, the meeting was first postponed to October 24, 2024, then rescheduled for November 28, 2024, before being indefinitely delayed.

In response, the PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, directed the NWC in December 2024 to ensure the NEC meeting was held by February 2025 at the latest.

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Adolphus Wabara, raised concerns that continued delays were eroding the trust and confidence of PDP members.

To ensure the meeting was held promptly, the PDP Governors’ Forum, during their meeting in Asaba, Delta State, on January 31, proposed March 13 for the NEC meeting.

However, in a new development, the party leadership announced that after consulting with all party organs, the 99th NEC meeting has, for the fifth time, been postponed to May 15.

The statement read, “Distinguished members of the National Executive Committee may recall that after due deliberation by party leaders, stakeholders, and relevant organs of the party, the NEC meeting was scheduled to be held on Wednesday, March 13, 2025.

“However, following emerging issues, including the need to conclude our pending zonal, state, local government, and ward congresses, as well as to allow for further consultations to ensure the smooth conduct of the meeting — especially concerning other proposed activities of our party — the NWC, after due consultation with leaders, stakeholders, and relevant organs of the party, including the Board of Trustees (BoT), the PDP Governors’ Forum, and the PDP National Assembly Caucus, hereby notifies distinguished NEC members that the 99th NEC meeting, earlier scheduled for Wednesday, March 13, 2025, has been unavoidably shifted to Thursday, May 15, 2025.

“All NEC members should please note the change of date and be guided accordingly.

“The NWC sincerely regrets any inconvenience this change of date may cause distinguished NEC members,” the statement said.