The Edo State Government (EDSG) has partnered with the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to provide subsidized fees, interest-free loans, and monthly stipends to students in state-owned tertiary institutions.
This initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden on parents and ensure that no student is denied higher education due to financial constraints.
The partnership, announced by the Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Pally Iyamu, will allow students in Edo State-owned tertiary institutions to pursue their studies without paying tuition fees upfront.
Additionally, students will receive a monthly stipend to cover their living expenses while in school. This initiative is expected to significantly reduce the dropout rate and other barriers to higher education caused by financial challenges.
Dr. Iyamu emphasized the state government’s commitment to reducing the financial burden on parents, who previously had to pay hundreds of thousands of naira for their children’s education.
He also commended the leadership of Senator Monday Okpebholo and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their efforts in creating a roadmap that enables students from all backgrounds to thrive.
To ensure widespread awareness of the program, the Edo State Ministry of Education is organizing a two-day sensitization campaign across the state’s three senatorial districts.
The programme will take place on March 11 and 12, 2025, with events scheduled at Edo State Polytechnic, Usen (Edo South), AAU Student Conference Centre, Ekpoma (Edo Central), and Edo University, Iyanmo (Edo North).
NELFUND, an initiative of the Tinubu administration, was launched in May 2024 to provide interest-free loans to students in federal tertiary institutions.
The programme has since been expanded to include state-owned institutions, offering eligible students access to higher education, vocational training, and skills acquisition. Under the scheme, students receive a monthly stipend of N20,000, with loan repayments commencing two years after completing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
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