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Renewed Hope: N32b Student Loan Scheme – Tinubu kicks off payment as 164,000 students register for the program

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With a signal from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Student Loan Scheme, one of the cardinal programmes of the administration, commenced yesterday.

The N32 billion made available for the programme will be given as loans to successful applicants.

According to the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) – the agency running the scheme, 103,000 successful applications were received.

It said 164,000 students were registered between May 25 when the portal opened and July 17.

The President gave out dummy cheques to students and some vice-chancellors to symbolically kick-start the scheme.

The Student Loan Scheme is a novelty meant to make loans available to indigent students or those unable to pay their fees so that they do not drop out of school.

“No student will drop out of school again just because he has no means to pay the fee,” the President had declared while announcing the scheme.

Beneficiaries’ tuition will be paid directly to the institution, while only the stipend will be paid to successful applicants.

President Tinubu declared education as the biggest weapon against poverty and the most effective battle axe to fight insecurity.

He said: “What I believe is that education is the greatest weapon against poverty in any society.

“Without education, there is no vision, there is no development, you cannot successfully conquer insecurity.

“Education is that light at the end of the tunnel. No matter how sluggish you move, it will give you the light and the hope.

“We are investing; we don’t want to try ignorance as an alternative, we want education from foundations to the topmost level.

“Today (yesterday), I am fulfilling one of my greatest campaign agendas. You cannot find your way if you are not well educated, you cannot even fight terrorism and banditry.

“If we have a successful inclusive loan that is necessary for our people to get educated and invest in their own lives, we would have built a fair society and a promise that we will earn a banner without stain to our children.”

NELFUND’s Executive Secretary/Managing Director Akintunde Sawyerr restated that the scheme aims to empower youths by removing financial barriers to their academic pursuit.

Reeling out NELFUND’s progress since the launch, Sawyerr said the Fund got key amendments to its Establishment Act on April 3, 2024, and secured dashboard metrics on May 25.

He explained that students applied for two types of loan – educational fees which are sent directly to their institutions of learning and application for upkeep fund, which serves as their monthly stipend

“Institutions collected cheques for multiple applications but students cannot get stipend unless their fees are picked by NELFUND,’’ said Sawyerr.

Sawyerr told reporters after the launch that there was a higher demand for loan from students of tertiary institutions in the North.

He attributed the trend to their proactive approach and effective networking.

However, he noted that there is growing awareness and interest by students in the South, despite initial scepticism.

The NELFUND boss added that universities have the highest demand for loans, followed by polytechnics and teacher training colleges.

He said: “Institutions in the north have been very proactive in supporting and helping their students and in providing their data to us.

‘’They seem to be very well organised in terms of networking.

“In the Southern part of the country, there’s growing awareness and there’s growing interest.

“I think there’s been a lot of scepticism, generally and I think the most sceptical parts of the country are in the South. They question everything: is it true, is it real, is it a scam?

“This disbursement programme is to say that ‘this is NO FUND, this is NELFUND.’

“We’re trying to ensure that people know that this is not a trick, it’s not a game.

“So, I think we’ll see the scepticism that you can find mainly in the Southern part begin to disappear when we start paying out.”

He added: “In terms of the three levels of institutions, the universities are the ones with the highest demand for the loans.

“It’s followed by the polytechnics and then the teacher training colleges.’’

The Executive Secretary said private institutions are excluded from the scheme because they charge higher tuition.

He thanked President Tinubu ‘’for having the vision and the courage to do what he has just done.’’

“I am sure you’ve all heard that fortune favours the brave and this courageous move will bring fortune not just to him, but to the entire nation,” he said.

National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) President Lucky Emonefe described the take-off of the scheme as a new dawn for students.

“Today we are excited. Nigerian students are happy that the dream has come true.

“It was once a dream; it has become an act and today is the presidential launch and disbursement,’’ he said.

Present at the launch were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen; Wale Edun (Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy), Abubakar Bagudu (Budget and Economic Planning minister), Mamman Tahiru (Education minister) and Jamila Bio-Ibrahim (Youths minister).

Chairman NELFUND board Jim Ovia thanked the President for the privilege to serve.

He referred to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, of which education is number four.

“The President has recognised that. We are all grateful to him for NELFUND,” Ovia said.

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Olayemi Cardoso, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS ) Chairman Zach Adedeji, Acting Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC) Chris Mayaiki and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board Chairman Ishaq Oloyede were also in attendance.

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BREAKING: Court Puts Off El-Rufai’s Bail Hearing, Sets New Date

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The Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday adjourned the hearing of the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, till Wednesday.

The adjournment followed proceedings that took place under tight security, reflecting heightened public interest in the high-profile corruption trial.

Counsel for the ex-governor, Ukpong Akpan, confirmed the development shortly after the session but declined to give details.

“I’m sorry, I can’t talk now, we are in the middle of work. I have to go and file responses. The hearing of the bail application has been adjourned till tomorrow,” he said.

Shortly after the court rose, El-Rufai was escorted out of the premises by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission in a white Hilux vehicle.

Earlier, the former governor had returned to court amid heavy security for the continuation of proceedings on his bail request.

The security arrangement mirrored the situation during his arraignment last week when he was first docked before the court.

El-Rufai is standing trial before Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion and possession of public property as well as money laundering.

He was brought to court after spending over a month in detention, a development that has continued to draw widespread attention across the country.

The court had earlier fixed March 31, 2026, for the hearing of all pending applications, including the bail request.

However, the anti-graft agency had on March 27, 2026, released him on compassionate grounds following the death of his mother, Hajiya Ummar El-Rufai, in Cairo, Egypt.

In a related development, the former governor was earlier on Tuesday arraigned before a Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kawo on separate charges.

At the State High Court, he was docked alongside one Amadu Sule on allegations ranging from abuse of office and fraud to intent to commit fraud and conferring undue advantage.

The charges, also filed by the anti-corruption commission, are separate from those before the Federal High Court.

After the proceedings at the State High Court, the commission moved El-Rufai to the Federal High Court within the same premises for continuation of proceedings.

With the adjournment, the hearing of the bail application is expected to resume on Wednesday.

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Araraume Felicitates President Tinubu on his birthday. Hails his Reform Agenda and National Milestones

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Senator Ifeanyi Araraume has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the occasion of his birthday, praising the President’s leadership style and the series of reforms that have shaped the direction of the country since he assumed office.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Araraume described President Tinubu as “a courageous reformer whose decisions continue to redefine Nigeria’s economic and governance landscape.” He noted that the President’s first year in office has been marked by bold policy choices aimed at stabilizing the economy and laying the groundwork for long term national development.

Araraume highlighted the removal of the petrol subsidy as one of the most significant economic decisions in recent decades, saying it demonstrated the President’s willingness to confront long‑standing structural challenges. According to him, the policy, though demanding, has redirected national resources toward infrastructure, social investment, and other critical sectors.

He also commended the administration’s unification of the foreign exchange market, describing it as a major step toward restoring investor confidence and strengthening Nigeria’s global competitiveness. The senator noted that the reforms have attracted renewed interest from international partners and signaled a commitment to transparent economic management.

Beyond economic restructuring, Araraume pointed to ongoing infrastructure expansion as evidence of the administration’s focus on national development. He cited the acceleration of key road projects, renewed efforts to expand rail connectivity, and the push to improve power generation and distribution as initiatives that reflect the President’s long term vision for a more productive Nigeria.

The senator further acknowledged the government’s interventions in agriculture, including support for mechanization and targeted programs aimed at boosting food security. He said these efforts are essential to reducing dependence on imports and strengthening local production.

On the diplomatic front, Araraume praised President Tinubu’s engagements across Africa and beyond, noting his role in strengthening regional cooperation within ECOWAS and advancing Nigeria’s interests on the global stage.

“As we celebrate this milestone, it is important to recognize the resilience and determination with which President Tinubu has approached the task of nation building,” Araraume said. “His commitment to reforms, economic stability, and democratic governance continues to inspire confidence in Nigeria’s future.”

He wished the President good health, renewed strength, and continued wisdom as he leads the country through what he described as “a defining period in Nigeria’s history.”

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Araraume Salutes Tinubu’s Vision, Lists Key Achievements on Birthday

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Senator Ifeanyi Araraume has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the occasion of his birthday, praising his leadership style and the series of reforms that have shaped the country’s direction since he assumed office.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Araraume described the President as “a courageous reformer whose decisions continue to redefine Nigeria’s economic and governance landscape.” He noted that Tinubu’s first year in office has been marked by bold policy choices aimed at stabilizing the economy and laying the groundwork for long-term national development.

Araraume highlighted the removal of the petrol subsidy as one of the most significant economic decisions in recent decades, saying it demonstrated the President’s willingness to confront long-standing structural challenges. According to him, the policy, though demanding, has redirected national resources toward infrastructure, social investment, and other critical sectors.

He also commended the administration’s unification of the foreign exchange market, describing it as a major step toward restoring investor confidence and strengthening Nigeria’s global competitiveness. The senator noted that the reforms have attracted renewed interest from international partners and signaled a commitment to transparent economic management.

Beyond economic restructuring, Araraume pointed to ongoing infrastructure expansion as evidence of the administration’s focus on national development. He cited the acceleration of key road projects, renewed efforts to expand rail connectivity, and the push to improve power generation and distribution as initiatives that reflect the President’s long-term vision for a more productive Nigeria.

The senator further acknowledged the government’s interventions in agriculture, including support for mechanization and targeted programmes aimed at boosting food security. He said these efforts are essential to reducing dependence on imports and strengthening local production.

On the diplomatic front, Araraume praised Tinubu’s engagements across Africa and beyond, noting his role in strengthening regional cooperation within ECOWAS and advancing Nigeria’s interests on the global stage.

“As we celebrate this milestone, it is important to recognise the resilience and determination with which President Tinubu has approached the task of nation-building,” Araraume said. “His commitment to reforms, economic stability, and democratic governance continues to inspire confidence in Nigeria’s future.”

He wished the President good health, renewed strength, and continued wisdom as he leads the country through what he described as “a defining period in Nigeria’s history.”

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