President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says his administration’s Renewed Hope reforms are beginning to show measurable progress, particularly in tertiary education, digital skills development and youth empowerment.
Represented by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, the President made the remarks at the University of Maiduguri’s 25th Combined Convocation and Golden Jubilee celebration. He announced new federal interventions aimed at improving welfare for both students and university staff nationwide.
₦20bn Zero-Interest Loan Scheme for University Staff
Tinubu disclosed that the Federal Government has earmarked ₦20 billion for a new zero-interest loan scheme targeting academic and non-academic workers in tertiary institutions.
Under the scheme:
- Beneficiaries can access ₦1 million to ₦10 million
- Loans are repayable over five years
- A one-year moratorium applies
- All interest costs will be covered by the Ministry of Education through an arrangement with the Bank of Industry (BOI)
“The interest accrued will be shouldered by the Ministry. Arrangements have been concluded with the BOI to provide loans to all eligible staff,” he said.
₦50bn Disbursed Through NELFUND
The President also revealed that ₦50 billion has already been disbursed to 624,535 students across 303 institutions under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
He stressed that the initiative ensures no Nigerian student abandons their studies because of financial challenges.
“No nation can thrive without investing in the minds of its youth. No Nigerian should be denied access to quality education due to financial constraints,” Tinubu added.
Powering Campuses: Over 100MW Delivered Through EEP
Highlighting improvements in education infrastructure, the President announced achievements under the Energizing Education Programme (EEP).
Phases I–III of the programme have delivered:
- Over 100MW of clean electricity
- To 24 federal universities and teaching hospitals
- Benefiting 600,000 students and 50,000 staff
A Phase IV is set to commence following a new MOU between the Ministry of Education and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), aimed at providing 24-hour power supply to eight more federal universities.
Medical Education: Admission Quota Doubled
To address Nigeria’s doctor-shortage crisis, Tinubu said the government has doubled the admission quota of medical colleges, including the University of Maiduguri.
He also confirmed that TETFund’s 2025 High-Impact Intervention will prioritise 18 medical schools across the country.
Digital Skills: Nearly One Million Trainees Recorded
Tinubu further highlighted progress in preparing young Nigerians for the digital economy. Through TVET programmes and Vocational Enterprise Institutes (VEIs):
- Over 960,000 trainees have been enrolled
- Across 25 technical and digital trades
- With training in coding, cybersecurity, data analytics, digital marketing and more
He added that digital literacy is accelerating through innovation hubs, e-learning portals, internships and partnerships with private companies, NGOs and international organizations.
The President also commended the University of Maiduguri for maintaining academic stability despite operating “in the epicentre of a violent insurgency for twenty years.”
Zulum Reaffirms Support for UNIMAID, BOSU, and KIU
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, congratulated the graduates and praised UNIMAID’s resilience despite decades of security challenges.
He pledged continued state support, including:
- Construction of staff and student housing
- Increased funding for infrastructure
- Foreign scholarships for Borno students
- Sponsorship of over 200 academic staff from UNIMAID, Borno State University (BOSU), and Kashim Ibrahim University (KIU) for postgraduate studies
Zulum reaffirmed his commitment to upgrading educational facilities across the state before the end of his tenure.
By Hamzat omolade
