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Federal Govt Explains How Students Will Access Loans, Directs Inclusion of Skill Development
The process for accessing the student loan programme of the Federal Government will be seamless, officials said yesterday.
According to them, there will be no human contact. Everything will be automated, they said.
Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Students Loan Board, Dr Akintunde Sawyerr, who spoke to reporters at the Aso Villa after meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, explained that funds for successful students will be transferred to the schools’ accounts.
The scheme has been widened to accommodate young Nigerians interested in acquiring skills outside tertiary institutions.
Sawyerr spoke to reporters along with the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr Zacch Adedeji.
Dr. Adedeji said his involvement at yesterday’s meeting with the president was because the education tax is a major source of funding for the loan scheme.
Sawyerr explained that the loan scheme would enable every applicant to pick a career trajectory, rather than being forced to do something else because of a lack of funds to acquire the requisite education.
He believes the programme would help to stem the dangerous journey undertaken by Nigerian youths across the Sahel to Europe in search of a better life.
Sawyerr said: “This has been done with a lot of thought. So in application and in applying for this loan, there is zero human intervention. In other words, there is an App.
“Every interested Nigerian will go on to a portal and engage the App. He/she will have to put in certain pieces of information, which will make them eligible. It will include their UTME (Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination) number and of course their date of birth.
“Further pieces of information include things like their National Identification Number (NIN), which confirms that they are Nigerians.
“The fund is going to come mostly from Nigerian taxpayers. So, it’s for Nigerians.
“The NINs will help us to verify and qualify them for the loan. Their BVN will also be required.
“This scheme will at some point, be able to empower students so we need to know that they have bank accounts.
“The applicants will also have to provide their admission numbers so that we can firmly establish which institution they are going to because one of the key elements of this is that once we’ve received applications and those applications are approved, the fees or the tuition requirements will be transferred directly to their institutions.
“That in itself has benefits for the institutions. Many students are struggling to pay tuition, their parents are struggling to pay. There’s a very high dropout rate.
“It is one thing to get into a tertiary institution and another to stay there for four or more years. This scheme seeks to help people access and remain in school until they graduate.
“Nigerians are qualified to apply and clearly you know there will be sifting. We are going to highlight those who are mostly in need in the first instance. Education is something that everybody should have a right to.
“The intention of the Act establishing the scheme is to ensure that the reason for one not being able to further his/her education at tertiary level is eliminated.
“The law also seeks to bridge the gap between the desire to study and the capacity to go further.
“This intervention will affect the lives of many Nigerian youths positively. It will impact many Nigerian families because the duty to pay for education falls on parents.”
Explaining further Adedeji said: “This is one of the schemes that we will be applying the Education Tax that we will collect.
“So, this is a way of being accountable to the taxpayer because the essence of Education Tax is to consolidate and restore education integrity and quality.”
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said in a statement that President Tinubu directed an expansion of the focus of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to include students interested in skill-development programmes.
Ngelale added that Tinubu pointed out that it was important for the scheme to be extended to such persons because skill acquisition is as important as obtaining undergraduate and graduate academic qualifications.
Ngelale’s statement reads: “This (loan scheme) is not an exclusive programme. It is catering to all of our young people. Young Nigerians are gifted in different areas.
“This is not only for those who want to be doctors, lawyers, and accountants. It is also for those who aspire to use their skilled and trained hands to build our nation.
“NELFUND has been directed to explore all opportunities to inculcate skill-development programmes because not everybody wants to go through a full university education.
“No matter how economically challenged you are, accredited and qualified students will and must have access to this loan to advance their education in higher institutions.
“There is no compromise in our commitment to the disadvantaged citizens of this nation.”
A new video has emerged showing two men reportedly kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, pleading for assistance to secure their release.
One of the captives, former Biu Local Government Area Chairman Hassan Biu Miringa, revealed that their abductors are demanding a $300,000 ransom.
Miringa said he and another individual were taken in December 2025 and have remained in the custody of the militants.
In the video shared by Zagazola Makama, Miringa introduced himself, saying: “I am Hassan Biu Miringa, former Chairman of Biu Local Government from 2020 to 2022. Four years after my tenure, we were kidnapped by the soldiers of Khilafa about two weeks ago. Alhamdulillah, we are still alive, but we urgently need help to save our lives.”
He added that negotiations with the kidnappers had been underway, with some preliminary agreements reportedly reached.
“We have engaged them on four separate occasions and reached an understanding. We appeal to our leaders, especially Borno State Deputy Governor Alhaji Usman Umar Kadafur, the National Assembly representative for Biu, Kwaya, and Shani Hon. Betera Aliyu, as well as our community leaders, to temper justice with mercy and assist us. We are their children and have been working together,” Miringa said.
He confirmed the ransom demand, explaining that each captive is expected to pay $150,000, totaling $300,000 for their freedom, and pleaded for urgent intervention to reunite with their families.
The video highlights ongoing concerns over kidnappings and insecurity in southern Borno State, which have persisted despite government efforts to curb insurgent activity in the region.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday visited Port Harcourt City Local Government as part of his “thank you” visit across Rivers State.
Upon his arrival, a group of women displayed a symbolic gesture of loyalty by spreading their wrappers on the ground for his motorcade.
The women and supporters of the Minister were in a jubilant mode as Wike drove on the wrappers.
Wike has been going around local governments in the state to appreciate them for their support while reeling out moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the course of his visits, the Minister had fired several salvos at political actors in the state, warning that their sudden support for President Bola Tinubu won’t secure them any ticket in 2027.
Wike also renewed rivalry with Governor Sim Fubara over the leadership control of the political space in the state.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially reaffirmed that the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, are ongoing and have not been suspended.
The Assembly said the process is still ongoing and is being conducted strictly in line with constitutional provisions.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi George.
According to the statement, the impeachment process, which began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, remains on course in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The lawmakers disclosed that separate notices of allegations bordering on gross misconduct have been served on both the governor and his deputy in line with Section 188 of the Constitution.
“The notices of allegations of gross misconduct against the Governor and the Deputy Governor have been duly forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and the House is awaiting their responses,” the statement said.
The Assembly maintained that it is constitutionally obligated to act in the interest of the rule of law and ensure that no public office holder acts outside legal boundaries.
Reacting to reports suggesting that the impeachment move had been halted, the House accused some individuals and media outlets of deliberately spreading misinformation to mislead the public and stir tension between the legislature and Rivers residents.
The lawmakers described such reports as false and insisted they would not succumb to intimidation, threats, or blackmail.
“We are aware of renewed attempts by certain persons and media platforms to misinform the public by claiming that the impeachment process has been discontinued. The public should disregard such falsehoods, as the process remains active,” the statement added.
The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and constitutional responsibilities, stressing that it would not be distracted by what it termed “cheap propaganda.”
It also appreciated the people of Rivers State for their support and prayers amid the ongoing political developments and extended goodwill to Nigerians committed to the nation’s democratic journey.
JomogNews reports that during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by the Speaker, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara on the floor of the House.
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