From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
Governor Malam Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has commended President
Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the introduction of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), describing it as a timely and far-reaching intervention aimed at easing the financial burden on students across the country.
The governor gave the commendation, Tuesday, while receiving members of the National Executive Council of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), led by the National President, Comrade Olusola Ladoja, during a courtesy visit to the Government House, Dutse.
The NANS leadership was in Jigawa State, where they held their association’s Northwest zonal elections, which cover the northwestern states of Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Jigawa, Sokoto, and Kebbi.
Governor Namadi expressed appreciation for the association’s choice of the state as host, reaffirming the state government’s readiness to continue supporting NANS activities and student-centered engagements.
Speaking on the student loan initiative, the governor said that the scheme reflects President Tinubu’s strong commitment to education and student welfare.
He recalled the growing challenges faced by students due to rising school fees and disclosed that the Jigawa State Government has invested money to support indigent students as part of its broader human capital development agenda.
“I could remember when they increased the school fees; many students found it difficult to pay. In fact, some students would have to drop out, which is unacceptable.
Jigawa State, through the students’ affairs office, worked hard to pay close to seven hundred million to help our students pay their school fees.
“So the student loan scheme introduced by President Tinubu showed us that this is a president who has concern for youth education in Nigeria.”
Governor Namadi also commended the NANS leadership for fostering dialogue, unity, and constructive engagement among students, urging them to uphold accountability, transparency, and responsible leadership as future leaders of the nation.
“And I am happy that the NANS president and the entire leadership has recognized that dialogue,communication and consolidations are the way to go. As future leaders of this country, there is the need for us to resolve differences on the table, rather than conflict.”
In his remarks, the NANS National President, Comrade Olusola Ladoja, praised both the federal and state governments for their student-focused policies, describing the student loan scheme as a groundbreaking initiative, noting that it marks a new era of responsive leadership that listens to and acts in the interest of Nigerian students.
“Since the inception of democracy in this country, this is the first time Nigerian students are having it right with the presidents of this nation. This is the first president that listens to Nigerian students.President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the first president who deemed it fit to give Nigerian students loans to go to school.”
The NANS leadership further expressed appreciation to the Jigawa State Government for providing a peaceful and conducive environment that ensured the successful conduct of their zonal elections, reaffirming their commitment to sustained collaboration with the state.
