Software For Disabled Pupils Planned By NELFUND

In order to guarantee that students with disabilities in higher education may fully benefit from its loan program, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund has announced plans to implement specialized software.

According to a statement released by the Fund on Sunday, Akintunde Sawyerr, the NELFUND’s managing director and chief executive, revealed this information at a stakeholder engagement on student loans in Benin City, Edo State.

Sawyerr emphasized that equal opportunity for everyone is guaranteed under the Act that established the loan scheme, and that NELFUND would work with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) to promote greater inclusion, and that the Act creating the loan program ensures equal opportunity for all students.

In order for visually impaired people to actually apply for the loan, we want to examine how we can make it easier for them. We are examining a certain piece of software that we intend to employ,” he stated.

At the gathering that included the religious leaders, parents, people with disabilities, government representatives, educators, and community members were all present for the interaction. Sawyerr characterized the program launched by President Bola Tinubu’s administration as a revolutionary move for Nigerian education.

Sawyerr confirmed that the legislation does not transfer the debt to the family in response to inquiries concerning loan repayment in the case of a beneficiary’s passing.

“That debt is not passed to the family or anybody else in the event of the individual’s death. He declared, “The loan is wiped out.”

“The law states that if the very person dies, that loan is not transferred to the family or anyone else,” he added, addressing worries around loan repayment in the case of a beneficiary’s passing. The loan has been cancelled.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came up with this initiative that no Nigerian student anywhere in Nigeria should be deprived of the opportunity to gain tertiary education because of lack of money,” Sawyerr said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring that tertiary education is accessible to all Nigerians.

He established the Nigeria Education Loan Fund as an organization to carry out this goal. He has provided funding, demonstrated political will, and established a framework through an Act of Parliament that essentially instructs us to find these students—those who are on the verge of dropping out or who are thinking about not pursuing their education beyond secondary school—and, if money is a barrier, attempt to resolve it. That is what we have been doing.

Dennis Idahosa, the deputy governor of Edo State, praised the federal government for bringing the student loan program to fruition.

Idahosa stated, “I would also want to use this occasion to express my gratitude to President Bola Tinubu of our beloved nation for this endeavor. Because, up until now, many families have faced several obstacles in their efforts to cover the cost of education for pupils nationwide.

“Thanks also go to Femi Gbajabiamila, my former boss and the Speaker of the House of Representatives at the time. The ability for Nigerian students to pay school fees was made possible by the measure he introduced in the 9th Assembly and the president’s vote.

By God’s help, the state government will work with you to aggressively raise awareness so that almost all Edo State students may take advantage of the student loan program.

Speaking at the stakeholders’ engagement, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, the Edo State Commissioner for Education, jokingly cautioned parents against having more kids because the NELFUND would be paying for their postsecondary education.

The audience laughed as the commissioner for Education for Edo State continued, “To my men folk, don’t begin to fire on me because of NELFUND.”

Iyamu said that payback will only start two years after finishing the National Youth Service Corps and when recipients are working, with deductions set at 10% of their wage. He called the program practically free because it had zero interest.

He also gave the NELFUND Managing Director the Edo moniker “Efosa,” which means “He Who Brings Blessings,” in recognition of his fervent support of the project.

Iyamu gave his word that the government of Governor Monday Okpebholo would do all in its power to make sure the initiative was successful throughout the whole state.