National Sensitization Tour on NELFUND

National Sensitization Tour on NELFUND

Today in Katsina, I joined the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund, NELFUND management, student leaders, institutional heads and stakeholders from across the seven Northwest states for the NELFUND sensitisation programme at Umaru Musa Yar’adua University.

NELFUND is one of the most impactful interventions of the Renewed Hope Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in expanding access to higher education. It is providing critical financial support to students who have the potential and determination to pursue tertiary education but may face financial difficulties.

However, awareness and utilisation of the scheme in the Northwest must improve. I therefore urged our students, particularly student leaders, to take ownership of the sensitisation campaign and ensure that eligible students in our institutions and communities understand how to access and responsibly utilise NELFUND.

I also appealed to NELFUND to consider allowing students to complete their academic registration before institutional fees are paid through the scheme. This would help reduce financial pressure on students and parents and make the process more convenient for beneficiaries.

As a government, Katsina State has already established sensitisation committees that have visited local government areas and tertiary institutions to create awareness about NELFUND and other educational opportunities.

My message to our students is simple: NELFUND is not for somebody else; it is for you. Take responsibility for understanding the scheme, accessing it responsibly and making the most of the opportunity it provides.

I commend the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund for choosing Katsina to host this important Northwest sensitisation programme. I also appreciate our tertiary institutions, student leaders and all stakeholders for their commitment to ensuring that no deserving student is left behind because of financial constraints.