Tinubu meet NELFUND chair Jim Ovia, Budget Office DG for Aso Villa

President Bola Tinubu meet with Jim Ovia, di man wey found Zenith Bank and na im be chairman of di Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), for Presidential Villa for Abuja on Tuesday.

Di President also get separate closed-door meeting with Tanimu Kurfi, Director-General of di Budget Office of di Federation, according to Vanguard and Daily Trust.

Di Presidency never talk wetin either meeting be about. Vanguard report say di Budget Office chief come for wetin e call regular briefing. Daily Trust talk say di Ovia meeting fit dey linked to building on di gains wey NELFUND don already record, but na di outlet own reading, no be official statement.

Ovia reach State House around 2:15 p.m., Vanguard report.

Why e concern students

NELFUND dey run di federal government interest-free student loan scheme. E dey cover tuition fees and e dey give monthly upkeep stipend for eligible students for public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. Beneficiaries must pay back after graduation and employment, through a capped deduction from income.

Tinubu appoint Ovia to chair di fund board on 26 April 2024, less than three weeks after e sign di Access to Higher Education Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Act, wey create di scheme.

Di fund talk for statement on Wednesday say students wey fit afford dia school fees no suppose collect di loan. Di statement, wey NELFUND Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, sign, stress say di scheme na by choice and na for those wey no fit pay.

Dat message matter for families wey dey weigh cost dis session: di loan no be free money, and e no be compulsory.

Wetin go happen next

No word yet on any new decision from Tuesday talks. Students wey need di loan fit still apply online, and repayment only start after graduation and a job.