NELFUND applauds Dangote Foundation’s ₦100bn annual scholarship scheme
By Uji A Iliyasu, Abuja
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has congratulated the Aliko Dangote Foundation on the launch of a ₦100 billion annual education scholarship initiative designed to benefit over 1.3 million Nigerian students across secondary and tertiary institutions over the next decade.
The landmark initiative was unveiled in Lagos in the presence of Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. NELFUND described the scheme as a bold private-sector intervention that aligns with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at expanding access to quality education nationwide.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, commended the Dangote Foundation for its visionary leadership and strong alignment with the Federal Government’s education reform priorities.
“On behalf of NELFUND, we applaud President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for championing collaborative solutions that strengthen Nigeria’s education system,” Sawyerr said.
He noted that the ₦100 billion annual scholarship programme would significantly complement government efforts to remove financial barriers to education, particularly for students in public secondary schools and tertiary institutions, with a strong focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Sawyerr further expressed NELFUND’s readiness to collaborate with the Dangote Foundation and relevant stakeholders to ensure transparency, efficiency and maximum impact of the programme.
“NELFUND stands ready to engage and work collaboratively to maximise the reach and effectiveness of this initiative,” he said, adding that the Fund remains committed to ensuring that no Nigerian is denied educational opportunity due to financial constraints.
The Fund reaffirmed that strong partnerships between government, the private sector and development stakeholders are critical to building a resilient and inclusive education ecosystem.
NELFUND once again congratulated the Dangote Foundation on the historic initiative, expressing confidence that it will leave a lasting and transformative impact on Nigeria’s educational landscape.