VP Shettima Pledges Tinubu Administration's Commitment to Revitalizing Nigerian Education, Highlights NELFUND Initiative
Vice President Kashim Shettima recently reaffirmed the Tinubu administration's strong commitment to revitalizing Nigeria's education sector, emphasizing key strategies for its transformation. His remarks were made during a courtesy visit from the management of the University of Ibadan (UI), where he was also honored with the university's "UI at 75 Ambassador Plenipotentiary" award – a unique recognition for his distinguished contributions.
Commitment to Educational Transformation:
Uplifting Premier Institutions: Shettima specifically pledged the administration's resolve to elevate premier institutions like the University of Ibadan. He lauded UI as "the greatest citadel of learning in this country and in West Africa," reminiscing about its historical prominence and continental influence. This focus indicates a clear intention to restore the glory of Nigerian universities and enhance their global standing.
Mobilizing Diverse Resources: A core strategy outlined by the Vice President is the mobilization of resources from both the public and private sectors to ensure the success of UI and other universities nationwide. This signifies a push for increased investment, strategic partnerships, and potentially innovative funding models beyond traditional government allocations.
"Renewed Hope Agenda" for Education: Shettima explicitly stated that under President Bola Tinubu's "Renewed Hope Agenda," the administration is "determined to rescue the educational sector." This underscores a comprehensive approach to address long-standing systemic challenges within the education system.
Key Educational Initiatives Highlighted:
Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND): This is a flagship initiative of the Tinubu administration, specifically designed to provide financial support to indigent students. Shettima highlighted NELFUND as "the first of its kind, directly addressing the needs of underprivileged students."
Purpose: Established under the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) (Repeal and Re-enactment) Act, 2024, NELFUND aims to provide interest-free loans to qualified Nigerians for tuition, other fees, and upkeep during their studies. These loans cover both approved tertiary academic institutions and vocational and skills acquisition institutions within Nigeria.
Addressing Prior Challenges: NELFUND was created to rectify shortcomings of the earlier Student Loan Act of 2023. It addresses issues related to governance, management, loan purposes, eligibility criteria, application methods, repayment provisions, and loan recovery, aiming for a more effective and sustainable scheme. As of July 2025, NELFUND has successfully disbursed tuition and upkeep interest-free loans to over 396,252 students, with plans to support approximately one million new applications by the end of the year. NELFUND is also set to launch a centralized job portal by 2026 to assist beneficiaries in accessing employment opportunities.
Flexible Repayment: The fund incorporates a student loan repayment strategy with flexible plans tied to graduates' income levels, including grace periods before repayment commences and options for loan consolidation, to ease the financial burden.
Scope: The loan is currently open to students in federal higher institutions, with plans for phased expansion.
Stable Power Supply (Indirect Impact): While primarily a power sector achievement, the Minister of Power's previous mention of no national grid collapse in 2025 due to the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) indirectly benefits the education sector. A stable power supply is crucial for uninterrupted academic activities, research, and the overall efficient functioning of educational institutions.
Increased Budgetary Allocation: Although not explicitly mentioned by Shettima during this specific speech, the Tinubu administration has significantly increased the education budget in 2025. A record ₦3.52 trillion has been allocated to the sector, marking a 61.47 percent increase from the previous year. This substantial increase aims to improve infrastructure, expand student funding, and enhance access to quality education at all levels, although some experts argue it still falls short of UNESCO recommendations. Over ₦700 billion has also been approved for Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) beneficiary institutions in 2025.
Broader Reforms under "Renewed Hope Agenda": The administration's educational agenda also encompasses other vital areas:
Curriculum Modernization: Developing a curriculum that aligns with global best practices and evolving socio-economic realities.
Teacher Training and Development: Efforts to enhance the quality of instruction and upgrade teaching staff competencies.
Addressing Out-of-School Children: Initiatives such as the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children are working to create tailored educational pathways for underserved communities.
Digital Literacy and Skill Acquisition: Equipping young people with relevant competencies for the 21st-century economy, including through partnerships like Generation Unlimited and the National Skills Framework.
Inclusive Education: Promoting equitable learning opportunities and advancing girl-child education across the nation.
The Vice President's remarks clearly signal the Tinubu administration's intent to prioritize education as a fundamental pillar for national development, aiming to address critical funding gaps, improve infrastructure, and significantly enhance access to quality learning for all Nigerians, particularly the underprivileged.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
