The Federal Government of Nigeria is implementing several initiatives to rebuild trust in the education sector and enhance national development. Students in tertiary institutions have expressed enthusiasm for the reforms, which include the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses on campuses, and the Student Venture Capital Grant. These initiatives aim to provide students with better access to education and equip them with practical skills.
Education is a critical aspect of national development, intersecting with every facet of society. Decades of successive administrations have shaped the options available to students, but weak policy implementation and industrial actions have contributed to distrust in public institutions. As a result, many parents have opted for private institutions, which can be challenging. However, under President Bola Tinubu's administration, students in public institutions have welcomed impactful developments.
The Student Venture Capital Grant, which commenced in 2025, provides N50 million equity-free grants to student innovators. The grant aims to ignite and support student-driven innovation by funding ventures that address real-world challenges with clear potential for scale and commercialisation. In its first cohort, 45 student innovators received N50 million each, along with funding, mentorship, incubation support, and digital transition tools.
The grant provides students with an edge in the labour market, according to Umar Faruk Sada, President of the Nigerian Universities Technology Education Students' Association. He noted that the initiative goes beyond the government working closely with tertiary institutions, as students are taught what the job market and entrepreneurship space demand. This helps address the challenge of students leaving school unprepared for the workforce.
Despite these initiatives, infrastructural challenges persist, limiting learning resources and practical expertise. Sada identified the shortage of tools, equipment, and workshop facilities as a major issue, resulting in graduates with strong theoretical knowledge but limited hands-on exposure. This affects their competitiveness in the field, highlighting the need for functional laboratories equipped to match global standards.
The Federal Government has also prioritised transportation investments in universities, including the provision of CNG-powered vehicles to 20 federal universities. This initiative aims to cushion the effects of subsidy removal and utilise Nigeria's natural gas resources. According to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, cushioning the impact on vulnerable populations, particularly students, remains a key national priority.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has also received commendation from students, as it reduces the chances of students dropping out of school. With disbursements hitting about N332 billion to 1.2 million students in August 2026, the Presidency has outlined a directive to sustain the initiative. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has been directed to divert all recovered liquid assets and unclaimed dividends to support the fund.
Key points
- The Nigerian government has introduced several initiatives to improve the education sector, including the Nigeria Education Loan Fund and the Student Venture Capital Grant.
- These initiatives aim to provide students with better access to education and equip them with practical skills.
- The reforms have received positive feedback from students, who welcome the efforts to address the challenges facing the education sector.
