Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has expressed appreciation for the introduction of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The governor described the initiative as a significant intervention capable of expanding access to higher education in Nigeria. He made this statement at the 2nd and 3rd Combined Convocation Ceremony of Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila, where 1,101 students graduated from various academic programs.
Governor Yusuf said NELFUND would provide students and their parents with greater opportunities to finance tertiary education and reduce financial barriers to higher education. He emphasized that investment in education was an investment in the future of Kano State and Nigeria, stressing that an educated and skilled population was essential for sustainable development, economic growth, and social progress.
The governor urged the graduands to put the knowledge and skills acquired during their studies to productive use and make meaningful contributions to their communities, Kano State, and Nigeria. He also commended the management and staff of Al-Istiqama University for contributing to the development of higher education in Kano State and providing young Nigerians with opportunities to pursue tertiary education.
Governor Yusuf congratulated the graduands on the successful completion of their studies and urged them to uphold discipline, integrity, and other values acquired during their academic journey. He further encouraged them to embrace innovation, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning, noting that relevant skills would enable them to respond effectively to contemporary challenges and contribute to the development of their communities.
The Founder and Proprietor of Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila, Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, said the establishment of the institution was a deliberate effort to bridge the educational gap between rural and urban communities. He stated that the university was established to reduce rural-to-urban migration by providing young people in rural communities with access to quality higher education and other opportunities.
Senator Kawu Sumaila attributed the growth of the university to the contributions of its principal officers, traditional leaders, elders, institutions, and governments that had supported the institution. He said the university began with the mission of expanding access to quality and value-based higher education and had grown into an institution focused on academic excellence and character development.
The introduction of NELFUND and the establishment of institutions like Al-Istiqama University are significant steps towards expanding access to higher education in Nigeria. These initiatives aim to provide students with greater opportunities to finance their education and acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for sustainable development and economic growth.
Key points
- Governor Yusuf commends President Tinubu for introducing NELFUND to expand access to higher education in Nigeria.
- NELFUND aims to provide students with greater opportunities to finance tertiary education and reduce financial barriers to higher education.
- Al-Istiqama University was established to bridge the educational gap between rural and urban communities and provide young people with access to quality higher education.
