Mr. Ayodele Olawande, Minister of State for Youth Development, has revealed what the student loan under Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will do for youth constituency in the country.
Olawande told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday that Student Loan Scheme is for youths to access interest-free facility and will help to curb drop out of undergraduates who are experiencing financial challenge in the tertiary institutions.
Read Also: FG Students Loan Targets 1.2m Beneficiaries, Application Portal Date Announces
“If the President said a child will not drop out of school because he or she is not able to pay school fees, I think that is a big plus,” he said.
Olawande called for an enabling environment for young Nigerians to thrive and achieve their goals in life.
According to him, the country has more than 60 per cent of young people; hence, with an enabling environment, much can be achieved.
The minister said the ministry was making critical decisions and suggestions while the President made sure they were put into action.
Olawande said the scheme had an agency and a chairman, adding students could access the portal at https://nelf.gov.ng
“You don’t need to know anybody; just go and apply. They will put it together, send it to the school and it will be sorted out so that one can study properly and pass the examination,” he said.
The minister said the loan is for students in public tertiary and technical institutions.
Olawande added everything must not be just education because the country had got to a stage were skills was also needed.
“China, India, United States and others are successful because of skills citizens have.
“The government is not saying everything must be university, polytechnic, tertiary institution. They must also go to technical schools so the persons can have one or two skills.
“Most of the foreigners they bring to Nigeria to work, who we call graduates, are not graduates. They are technicians,” he said.
The minister explained in every ministry and corporation, young people are found.
He said this was the reason most decisions government made boiled down on youths.
NAN reports the Loan Scheme, which is being implemented, is part of the Higher Education Access Act, assented to by President a year ago.
In February, the Act was returned to National Assembly for overhaul and was assented to by the President.
