Enugu, Nigeria – In a landmark move for education and youth empowerment, Enugu State has officially launched the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) rollout, offering zero-interest student loans for tertiary education and securing its position as the pilot state for the Federal Government’s ₦1 billion Skills Acquisition Loan Program.

 

The two-day strategic engagement, led by Hon. Arinze Chilo-Offiah, Special Adviser to the Governor on MSMEs and Digital Economy and Director-General of the Enugu SME Center, with support from Dr. Chinyere Onyishi, Special Adviser on Education Innovation, and the NELFUND team, gathered key education stakeholders to align on policy, infrastructure, and implementation.

 

Day 1: Accelerating Access to Zero-Interest Student Loans

 

The first day focused on driving uptake of NELFUND’s tuition loans for students in tertiary institutions. The loans come with an optional ₦20,000 monthly upkeep allowance for up to 12 months. The streamlined digital application process requires JAMB verification, NIN, and confirmation from the student’s institution, with funds disbursed directly to schools.

 

Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, Managing Director/CEO of NELFUND, led engagement sessions with Vice Chancellors, Rectors, Registrars, and Deans of Student Affairs, urging swift institutional onboarding to eliminate barriers to student access.

 

Breakout sessions tackled:

 

Digital portal integration and fraud prevention

 

Real-time verification and compliance workflows

 

 

Despite Enugu’s education pedigree, the state ranks 33rd out of 36 in NELFUND application uptake—a figure the event aimed to reverse.

 

Traditional rulers, local government leaders, and education stakeholders raised concerns around application delays, age limitations, and part-time student eligibility. NELFUND responded with upcoming solutions including dashboard alerts, USSD access, and institutional support platforms.

 

Day 2: Enugu Pilots ₦1 Billion Skills Loan Initiative

 

The second day showcased Enugu’s capacity to host the pilot of the ₦1 Billion Skills Acquisition Loan Program—targeted at non-academic training in high-demand sectors such as fashion, renewable energy, digital technology, and skilled trades.

 

Mr. Mustapha Iyal, NELFUND’s Executive Director of Operations, led a tour of key training facilities:

 

Enugu Fashion and Garment Hub: A modern co-working space with production and classroom capacity for fashion entrepreneurs.

 

Government Technical College (GTC), Enugu: A revitalized center for training in mechanical, electrical, and construction trades, led by Dr. Amaka Ngene of the STVSMB.

 

Digital Skills Enhancement Zone (D-SEZ) at ESCET: A smart-tech facility for digital skills, software engineering, and online entrepreneurship.

 

 

These facilities highlighted Enugu’s infrastructure advantage and validated its selection as the national testbed for the Skills Loan initiative.

 

Key Resolutions and Next Steps

 

The engagement concluded with several action points:

 

Full NELFUND portal integration in all tertiary institutions

 

Creation of a dedicated WhatsApp support group for school liaisons

 

Inclusion of private institutions and ICT academies in the loan program

 

Formal designation of Enugu as the NELFUND South-East Zonal Office

 

 

Goodwill messages from the Vice Chancellor of ESUT, Rector of IMT, and traditional rulers underscored the collective commitment to youth development.

 

Conclusion

 

With this twin rollout, Enugu is redefining education access and employability for Nigerian youth. The state is not only providing financial relief for students but also equipping thousands with industry-relevant skills for the future.

 

Under the visionary leadership of Governor Peter Mbah, Enugu is proving that inclusive education and economic empowerment are not aspirations—they are realities in motion