Shettima Hails NELFUND as a landmark initiative of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, saying the scheme has provided crucial financial support to students from poor families.
The Vice President spoke on Wednesday in Abuja when he received the management team of the University of Abuja, led by its Vice Chancellor, Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi.
The remarks were contained in a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President.
According to Shettima, NELFUND has been positioned as a social equaliser and a mechanism for poverty alleviation and the advancement of education in Nigeria.
He noted that the scheme covers tuition fees and provides monthly upkeep allowances for students from less-privileged backgrounds.
Shettima said the initiative has helped ensure that poverty does not prevent students from pursuing higher education.
Recalling his own experience as a student at the University of Maiduguri, the Vice President described NELFUND as an initiative created to provide relief and breathing space for children from poor families.
Shettima also said Nigeria was firmly on the path of sustainable economic development under the Tinubu administration. He pointed to improvements in the country’s sovereign credit ratings and outlooks, stronger foreign exchange reserves, increased oil production and higher federal allocations following the removal of the fuel subsidy.
The Vice President also commended the management of the University of Abuja under Professor Fawehinmi, saying the institution had achieved greater stability under its current leadership.
He pledged that the Federal Government would continue to provide the necessary support to the university.
Earlier, Fawehinmi commended Shettima for his support for the institution and described him as a mentor whose leadership had assisted the university’s Governing Board.
The Vice Chancellor also said NELFUND had contributed to relative stability in Nigeria’s education sector by helping students remain in school.
Fawehinmi said the university’s management and Governing Council considered it important to appreciate the Vice President for his continued support to the institution.
He noted that the University of Abuja had faced leadership challenges in the past but said the current management had worked to restore stability since assuming office.
Source: Channels Television