The Managing Director of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Akintunde Sawyerr, has emphasized the fund’s commitment to aligning student loan allocations with Nigeria’s developmental priorities. Speaking during a virtual conference organized by Renewed Hope Global titled ‘Student Loan Masterclass: Why, What, and How?’, Sawyerr outlined the fund’s strategy to prioritize courses critical to national development.
Addressing participants, Sawyerr explained that while all courses are currently treated equally to ensure students in advanced levels of study (300 and 400 levels) can complete their education, the fund is actively considering a targeted approach.
“There is recognition that there are some courses Nigeria urgently needs to develop. With no disrespect to anyone, fields like engineering or medicine contribute more directly to our national growth compared to, for example, language studies,” he said.
Sawyerr further stated that the fund’s goal is not to exclude any discipline but to encourage the pursuit of skills that are practical, exportable, and essential for both domestic development and international economic contributions.
The NELFUND initiative has already impacted 335,000 students across 127 tertiary institutions, demonstrating its broad reach and effectiveness in supporting education.
Sawyerr highlighted that by equipping students with globally marketable skills, the program also aims to boost Nigeria’s economy through remittances from professionals working abroad.
As Nigeria continues to face challenges in education funding, NELFUND’s adaptive approach seeks to balance inclusivity with strategic resource allocation, ensuring the nation’s workforce is equipped for both local and global demands.
