Tinubu's aide empowers final-year students in Kwara with educational support

Comrade Sunday Dayo Asefon, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, has empowered some final-year students of tertiary institutions in Kwara State. This comes as he engaged students of the University of Ilorin and other tertiary institutions in the state on the educational reforms and interventions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration. The programme was themed "Thank You, Mr President" and was organised by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NERSI).

Asefon described the engagement as an opportunity to appreciate the Federal Government's interventions in the education sector, sensitise students to available opportunities and strengthen communication between the Presidency and the Nigerian student community. He noted that education remains a critical instrument for national development, economic growth and social transformation, stressing that the Tinubu administration recognises the importance of investing in young people and expanding access to quality education.

The presidential aide highlighted some of the administration's achievements, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which provides eligible students with access to interest-free loans to support their educational expenses. He clarified that student loans should not be regarded as a replacement for scholarships, bursaries and other forms of educational assistance but as an additional intervention to expand access to higher education.

Asefon also highlighted the administration's commitment to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), skills acquisition, digital training and entrepreneurship development. He urged students to look beyond academic certificates and acquire practical skills that would make them competitive in the evolving employment market. He encouraged students across Kwara State to take advantage of government-backed opportunities, including TVET and other skills development initiatives.

As part of the engagement, Asefon provided empowerment support to some final-year students, reinforcing the importance of offering practical assistance to young Nigerians as they approach the completion of their academic programmes. He further highlighted other interventions in the education sector, including the Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG), the Federal Government's campus mobility initiatives and efforts to expand student accommodation across tertiary institutions.

Asefon explained that the engagement was designed to bridge the communication gap between the Presidency and students, ensuring that young people understand government policies, access available opportunities and communicate their concerns through appropriate channels. He emphasised that while there was a need to acknowledge the progress recorded, challenges relating to the cost of education, accommodation, transportation, learning facilities, security and general student welfare must continue to receive attention.

The programme concluded with a renewed call for the Federal Government to sustain its educational reforms and expand interventions that directly improve students' welfare, access to education and future prospects. On behalf of the Nigerian student community, Asefon expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the ongoing reforms and encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the administration.

Key points

• The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) provides eligible students with access to interest-free loans to support their educational expenses.