President Bola Tinubu has appointed Mr. Jim Ovia, a distinguished banker and businessman, as Chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) Board.
The announcement was made by Ajuri Ngelale, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, who highlighted Ovia’s expertise and professional stature.
Ngelale emphasized the President’s confidence in Ovia’s ability to further the crucial vision of ensuring no Nigerian student faces financial barriers to higher education.
Ovia’s responsibilities include facilitating access to higher education and skills development for Nigerian youths, fostering their productivity and contribution to the global knowledge economy.
“Mr. Ovia is the founder of one of Nigeria’s leading banks and a respected business leader, with a surfeit of efforts and benefaction towards nurturing and empowering young Nigerians.
“He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana.
“The National Student Loan Programme is a pivotal intervention that seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths.
“The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the implementing institution of this innovation, demands excellence and Nigerians of the finest professional ilk to guide and manage,” the statement read in part.
Student loan Act
President Tinubu on April 3, signed the National Students Loan Amendment bill into law.
The amended bill was signed after he initially signed the student loan bill into law back in June 2023, to offer financial assistance to Nigerian students in tertiary institutions.
Following the earlier signing of the bill, its implementation faced delays due to various issues hindering its rollout.
Speaking after he signed the amended bill, the president said, “ First of all, I must thank members of the National Assembly for their expeditious handling of this bill considering the children of Nigeria, that education is the tool to fight against poverty effectively.”
“We are determined to ensure that education is given the proper attention necessary for the country including skills development programmes. This is to ensure that no one, no matter how poor their background is, is excluded from quality education and opportunity to build their future.”
“We are here because we are all educated and were helped. In the past, we have seen a lot of our children drop out of college and give up the opportunity. That is no more, the standard and the control is there for you to apply no matter who you are as long as you are a Nigerian citizen.”