The Student Loan Scheme is a conception of the purest, noblest, and loftiest of intentions and design. It is a bond to secure the nation’s future and a promissory note to a prosperous destiny for many young Nigerians.

The kernel of the scheme is to remove the impediments of finance and guarantee access to higher education and skill development for ALL needing Nigerian students irrespective of where they come from, where they worship, what they look like, who they know or do not know, or whatever is their political interest and social complexion. It is for ALL NIGERIANS.

As someone who had to take up the emergency job of an English and Literature-in-English teacher to pay my way through school, having been orphaned at a young age, I share a vicarious sense of relief and elation over the scheme. For many students like me who had to struggle through fiscal cliffs at school, President Bola Tinubu’s Student Loan Scheme is that actual pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. It is manifest hope. It is dreams taking flight. It is an open sesame to glorious destiny. It is victory.

There have been spurious allegations of exclusion of certain groups in the disbursement of loans and upkeep funds by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the institutional vehicle of the Student Loan Scheme.

NELFUND has done well to provide sufficient information on the modalities of loan disbursement. In response to the sputtering concerns, The Fund said it had ‘’sent a verification list to every institution eligible for disbursement, and that payments are being made to institutions that have responded to this verification’’, however some institutions are yet to respond.

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NELFUND also explains that “the loan is open to all public tertiary institutions. The first phase of the loan is open to only students studying and desiring to study in federal higher institutions in Nigeria. The other phases will be announced in due course. Students who have secured admission into all public Nigerian universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, or vocational schools, with proof of admission that includes name, date of birth, admission letter, JAMB number, matriculation number, and BVN. All full-time students are eligible for the loan, but only applicants will benefit from the loan.’’

Clearly, only applicants – those who have applied – can benefit from the loan. But there seems to be apathy from certain parts of the country, particularly in the south. The Student Loan Scheme is a national programme being implemented for the advancement of the nation and for the benefit of all Nigerians. No section of the country will be left behind. It is a moving vehicle, and all groups are onboard.

As of July 31, 2024, NELFUND has disbursed over N1.1 billion as tuition for 20,000 students, and these disbursements were made to various academic institutions based on their calendar. And more disbursements have since been made.

Many institutions in the South-East, including The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Ebonyi State University, Imo State Polytechnic, Abia State Polytechnic, Abia State University, etc, have already been onboarded.

It is important that we all embrace this locus classicus of innovative governance. Trust and faith in the government is of the essence. The Student Loan Scheme is for us all. No one is being excluded, and no one will be left behind.

*Nwabufo is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Engagement

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Nigeria’s rising global profile is not the conjuring of luck or the divination and contrivance of some dissociated variables. It is the result of purposeful, diligent, and experienced leadership. The workings of President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.

Nigeria has always mattered in the chat rooms and chopping tables of global discourse — as pertaining Africa. It has always been significant as the largest democracy in Africa, and as the most populous nation and one of the biggest economies on the continent.

But the world is paying more attention to Nigeria. It is taking more interest in the nation for good reasons. Effective domestic leadership, reinforced with a deliberate and well-designed foreign policy, reflects critically on global perception. A broad-minded and enlightened leadership at home will, by a good shot, colour the grey canvas of global disinterestedness.

The past one year has not been without some challenges, but there has been a driven and efficient leadership with clear direction to help the nation navigate through any vortex. Reports from credible rating agencies and global financial platforms betoken stability and the return of vibrancy to critical sectors of the economy.

Early this month, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) commended the government of Nigeria for clearing 98 percent of airlines’ trapped funds, which the carriers had previously been unable to repatriate.

The Director-General of IATA, Mr. Willie Walsh said ‘’as of April 2024, 98 percent of these funds have been cleared. The remaining 19 million dollars is due to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s ongoing verification of outstanding forward claims filed by the commercial banks.’’

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And months before, in March precisely, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced that it had settled valid outstanding foreign exchange obligations. On October 23, 2023, at the 29th Nigerian Economic Summit (NES) in Abuja, the President pledged that his administration would honour legitimate foreign exchange obligations and restore market confidence. This pledge he is following through ever so dutifully.

There is a strong, focused, disciplined, and patriotic leadership at home, and this is influencing global perception of Nigeria on governance.

President Tinubu, Nigeria’s chief promoter, has brought a fine hue of respect, command, and dignity to the brand Nigeria by his audacious, candid, cerebral, and deep declarations on seminal matters as regards Nigeria, Africa, and the world around them, on important global platforms.

Just about two months ago at the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, President Tinubu stirred interest and applause with his profound asseveration on the imperativeness of collaboration and inclusiveness to achieving global food security, addressing collective challenges, and driving innovation across a chain of interests for a more stable and prosperous world.

“The capital formation that is necessary to drive the economy, agriculture, ensure food security, innovation, and technological advancement must be an inclusive programme of the entire world. No one should be left behind. I am glad the world is recognizing the need for (cooperation), and that with the type of population growth that Africa is experiencing; the diversity of its resources must be married with economic opportunity. We must collaborate to do that,” the President said.

On June 6, at a meeting with a delegation from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, led by its Managing Director, Mr. Makhtar Diop, President Tinubu spoke not only as the leader of the largest black nation, but as an African patriot. He beseeched international development financiers to see Africa as a destination for growth and prosperity, and not as an axis of eternal misery and chaos.

“The IFC and the World Bank need to see Africa differently. I am glad an African is at the helm of affairs at IFC, and as an African, understands that the potential for growth, peace, stability, and prosperity is here. The world has to see us as a continent that can help the rest of the world, and not perceive us as backwards, unstable, and with leadership problems. The expectations of the rest of the world on Africa have to change. By looking at Africa as a potential opportunity and not a danger to the rest of the free world, we can stimulate growth and propel inclusiveness.

“I am an African and proud to be and will maintain the strong position to collaborate with the rest of the world to see Africa as a destination for growth and prosperity,” the President said.

Effective leadership is appetizing. It is like a honey-badger to honey. Inclusive of the tactile substance of development and growth, it attracts goodwill and bolsters the nation’s global stature. With President Tinubu’s effective leadership, Nigeria’s global profile will stay on the rise.

*Nwabufo is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Engagement

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The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, made this known on Monday in a press statement.

The new media aides are: Mr. Fela Durotoye (Senior Special Assistant to the President — National Values & Social Justice); Mr. Fredrick Nwabufo (Senior Special Assistant to the President — Public Engagement); Mrs. Linda Nwabuwa Akhigbe (Senior Special Assistant to the President — Strategic Communications); Mr. Aliyu Audu (Special Assistant to the President — Public Affairs) and Mr. Francis Adah Abah (Personal Assistant to the President — Special Duties).

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The president also approved the secondment of Mrs. Linda Nwabuwa Akhigbe to serve as the Communications Adviser to the President of the ECOWAS Commission.

The president, according to Ngelale, tasked all new appointees who were serving in the media and publicity directorate to uphold the highest standards of decorum and decency in their engagements with all members of the public as they advance the president’s determined bid to renew the hope of Nigerians in a restructured economy and unified society that caters sufficiently to the needs of all, regardless of any differences.

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