From Muawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Katsina State has called on tertiary institutions to support their students in accessing the Federal Government’s NELFUND student loan scheme by completing the required online registration process.
The appeal was made on Thursday by the Katsina State Director of NOA, Alhaji Muntari Lawal Tsagem, in a statement he personally signed and issued to newsmen.
He said several institutions in the state were yet to fulfill the mandatory registration steps needed to link their student records with the NELFUND portal.
According to him, non-compliance by some institutions risks denying thousands of eligible students the opportunity to benefit from the loan initiative, which is part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at easing financial pressures on parents and helping students concentrate fully on their studies.
Under the NELFUND scheme, students’ tuition fees are paid directly to the institutions, while each beneficiary receives a monthly upkeep allowance of N20,000 to support their welfare.
Tsagem also urged student union leaders across tertiary institutions in the state to educate their members on the loan process and encourage them to apply, stressing that the Federal Government has set aside significant funds to support students nationwide.
He added that improved awareness and cooperation from institutions would ensure that Katsina students do not miss out on the opportunity to benefit from the initiative.
